Friday, February 24, 2012

ALASSSSSKA.

This week has been absolutely insane. Lots of big decisions were made, projects were finished, friends were accepted into grad schools, and I was offered a job for the summer... I accepted.

I've been applying to numerous jobs at various national parks for the summer. I've come to a place where I just need a "break"--A break from school, counseling, and in a way, normal life in general. So, after a few months, I was offered the position to work with an ATV tour guide company at Denali National Park. It's a company that gives people tours on ATVs. Crazy, right? Well...not that crazy. I have grown up riding ATVs and this is my chance to try something completely different, make changes, be in the wilderness, see animals, and be a little bit more free for a time.

The job is seasonal, begins in May and ends in September. I have a split position to work as a tour guide and to work in the office. I am SOOOO excited for this opportunity. I was so excited that I screamed. I rarely scream. This is a big deal. :) 

Please pray for me as the time gets closer for me to graduate and move to Alaska. 

Maybe I'll get some pictures like this one of Mount McKinley:

Friday, February 10, 2012

New Food.

Today I went to Cabela's for the 1st time ever and ate....
BISON.

It was goooooood.
...every single bite and every single sight. 

Sunday, January 22, 2012

The Professional Bull Riders in Portland!

I got to see the PBR today and just an fyi, it was one of the best days I have EVER had. haha Well, that might be an exaggeration, but it was good. Real good. I had some pretty good views of the cowboys too if you know what I mean. Just look:


 The Champion of the night: Jordan Hupp


I got quite a few autographs from the cowboys. :)
 I even got to take a picture with the Champ, Jordan (a fellow believer). :)
 My ticket is priceless. :)
 Erin and I!
No comment.  ;)

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Snowshoe Adventures!

Yesterday, Anna, me and some friends spent our day snowshoeing and sledding at White River Canyon at Mt. Hood. The weather was perfect: sunny. Let's just say, most of us were sweating the entire time. That was odd to me since there was snow EVERYWHERE. :)

Here is what I saw and experienced:






After the hike, we went sledding and Anna and I may have been on a tube together and we may have spun around and we may have run into a tree pretty hard and I may have bruised my leg pretty good. I may be okay though. :)

Sunday, January 1, 2012

9 in 1


Last year, 2011, was a wild one to say the least. I am not that sad to say "goodbye" to it either. My life has been changed by the events that occurred throughout it. It has been changed through the places that I have gone, the people I have seen and met, those that I have said goodbye to, and those that I have grown closer with. Someone told me that 2012 is a new beginning. I’d like to test out that theory. But right now, I wanted to explain the subject heading of this blog. It means that I have been to 9 states in 1 year. I know that might be a lot to some and to others it might not even scratch the surface of how many they’ve been to this past year, but it’s significant to me. Here is a glimpse of the past year through a few states…


1. Oregon: My home.

2. Colorado: Saw my best friend, Malerie, get married.

3. California: Saw more amazing friends, Kevin and Liz, marry one another.

4. Washington: I drove through this state this summer and made a stop in Spokane for some coffee.

5. Idaho: Again, this is another place that I drove through this summer. I stayed at my aunt’s house for a night and was happy to catch up with her and my cousin.

6. Montana: Spent some time here with my best friend, Shawn and visited Glacier National Park.

7. Wyoming: Visited Yellowstone National Park and The Grand Tetons.

8. New York: I spent Christmas here with my siblings, Angie and Vince. I had a great time.

9. Connecticut: While in New York, my siblings and I made a short stop here. It was beautiful.


Who knows what adventures will be in store for me in 2012. All I’m sayin’ is that they better be good


My prayer is that this next year will be a year of healing, new beginnings, developing closer relationships, graduating, possibly a half marathon, and of being okay with waiting cause it’s not an easy thing for a person to do who likes to know what the plan is. ;)


Jesus, will you come this year?!
Goodbye, 2011. I'm going to try my best to look forward.

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Last Day in New York!

Here's the last few pictures that I'd like to share! I am now back home in Portland. My trip to New York flew by too quickly!
 Yesterday, we made a pit stop in Connecticut and here is the picture of the New York sign on the way back!
 The largest Christmas lights I have ever seen!
 Rockefeller Center once again. I just had to see the tree one more time.
 We didn't have a chance to go ice skating here (the line was craaazy long), but that just gives me more reason to come back another time during Christmas. :)


Soooooo beautiful! 

I'll see you later, New York!
Thanks sis for making it a wonderful Christmas! I already miss you!

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

New York: Day 5

Here's an update of day 5 in NY:
More adventures with Angie and Vince.
 The ferry to Liberty Island and then to Ellis Island
 The Liberty Bike is made of copper.
 Details. :)
 Prettttty awesome...
 Sneaky.

 Family!
 Ellis Island. So much history here...
 The Immigrants would wait in line for hours/days here to find out if they could remain in the U.S.
 Ellis Island from the ferry back to the city.
 The Museum of Modern Art with the bro and sis.

 Andy Warhol....sooooo wonderful. :)
 Salvador Dali. One of my favs.
 Picasso.
 Van Gogh. I was able to see my favorite artist AND painting IN PERSON!!!! I am satisfied.
g
 Monet.

More Monet.

It was a lovely day. :)

Monday, December 26, 2011

New York Continued...

 Christmas dinner included: Homemade stuffed artichokes, calzones, and mexican pasta!
 Christmas pictures with my bro and sis (I thought I looked like Katie in this one haha)
 Santa and his elf.



 In a taxi and on our way to the Empire State Building


 Taking the elevator up!
 The spectacular view!




 This is where the Twin Towers used to be
 The Statue of Liberty

 The Empire State Building made of candy
 New York Pizza! Mmmmm!
 The Subway to...Ground Zero

 Ground Zero: The "Freedom Tower" that they are building


 The NY fire dept.
 I waved to a fireman inside and he let us in!!!
 No joke!




 The Freedom Tower close-up
 Grand Central Station

 The Broadway show that we saw: Memphis
 It was amazing! We were in the center of the 4th row!
The stage is right behind us!

More to come...it's time to rest! :)