"My Very First Rodeo"

After our ward BBQ we all drove up to Lehi to go and see the Lehi 's Round-Up Rodeo. I was pretty excited since it was my very first rodeo. I wanted to wear some cowgirl boots and a hat but didn't quite have time for that since I was rushing off of work to get to the BBQ.  My friend Rachel decided to drive us to Lehi with Jolene giving us the directions. I was just the front passenger  being the photographer....

Yeah, it took about twenty-five minutes  to finally get there. Luckily Jolene knew her way around Lehi and was able to get us some good parking for the Rodeo. The only thing we were worry about though was the weather. It wasn't too bad when we arrive, it was windy and gray. We were just hoping it wouldn't rain on us. 

Jolene in the back seat directing us

As you can see it was windy by the way my hair was all on my face.  Rachel and I took blankets just it case it got colder at night.  Looking at the horses, cows, and bulls reminded me of when I use to do service on my mission. We use to clean horse stalls and comb the horse's mane and give them love and attention. I was so tempted to ride a horse on my mission but we weren't allowed. And going to this rodeo reminded me of some of my investigators that took care of horses and were in rodeos. 

So there were several events, ones of which I was learning about. Jolene was the one who was teaching us about these events.  There was the Tie down roping in which they were timed to see how fast they could tie down a calf.  There was Saddle Broc Riding in which the horses would buck high and they were judged according to their style and how well the rider was able to handle it. Pretty tricky stuff.... Then there was an event that only the women did and that was Barrel Racing. They were each timed on how fast they could go around these barrels. 

Jolene and I decided to put on our hoods since it started to pour on us. Yes, it rained on us and were hoping it would stop and it did.

The Next event was when they rode their dirt-bikes and made all kinds of tricks. It was pretty cool. I wish I had a better camera so these pictures would have turned out better but I guess that will have to wait. Yeah they made back flips and all kinds of fancy tricks... 

The Last event was the Bull Riding which was cool to see... 

Then after that we gathered our thing and drove home. I had a fun time although I wish Garett could have been there with me.

"Black and White"

So my friend Adrianna invited me to a black and white regional stake dance thing. I wasn't planning on going but I decided that we should go. Christina was having a rough day and so I thought this would be a good way for her to get her mind off things. I also wanted to cheer her up. And who knows maybe Christina could find herself a good lds guy. I on the other hand was wishing my boyfriend was there instead of out in Kentucky doing some military training.

When we finally arrived at the church building I ran into a few friends that were in one of my last wards. I saw Mariana and Edmundo. It was way good to catch up with them. We also met some of Adrianna's friends. Then we proceeded to dance in a circle like most girls do. It was way fun to just get our minds off our daily stresses and just get into the music. I love to dance and I just wish Garett could have been there to dance with me. But I'm sure will have time to do that when he comes to visit.                                                                                     

The music that they were playing was Bachata, Merengue, Cumbia, Reggeton, Salsa, and some durangense which isn't my favorite. They also played some random Hip-hop.

As we were dancing in a circle Christina was asked to dance with this guy from Africa. I was like "yes!" Christina is gonna get some numbers tonight... As I watched them dance Adrianna's friends were asking me to teach them to dance. One of them I think was from Asia and the other was from, I want to say Oregon. So I was showing them the steps to dance Bachata. Then it was about 11pm and I was ready to leave. I was so tired because I hadn't been home all day. I only went home to change and get ready for this black and white activity. 

The day went like this, work from 7am to 6pm then pick up Jordan from the airport. Next we ate at Cafe Rio and Jordan took off with his old companion from the mish. Jordan was down in utah for Lelia's wedding and he had asked me to pick him so I did as a favor. Then after that I went home to change for this activity. So yeah you can see why I was so tired and didn't quite make it to 1am. Plus I didn't want to get home too late cause I was looking forward to talking to Garett on the phone. Long distance relationships can be tough cause you can't see your love too often as you would like. So yeah that was my crazy Friday..... I was hoping Christina would have found a man but I guess it will have to be at another activity... The search to find Christina a guy is one of my goals. She doesn't quite know that so shhh don't tell her...  lol 

"My One Year Mark"

Exactly today, June 4th has been a year since I got back from my mission. I can't believe how time flies. Going on my mission was the best choice I've ever made in my life. Although it was rough out in the field, I loved it!  In total I had thirteen companions. I was in four trios and I had five areas.  I entered the MTC on December 27th of 2006 and I entered the field on January 16th of 2007. Aww beautiful New York! My mission covered these major cities or places that you might know Niagara Fall, Rochester, Buffalo, Palmyra (historic sites), Cattaraguas (Indian Reservation) all the way down to the Pennsylvania border.....

This is one of my favorite companions, Sister Sharon Freire. She is actually from Ecuador but she lives in the states. We served together in the Alden Area where we served in a Branch. That area had some city and lots of country. It covered Alden, Lancaster, Elma, some of Cheektowaga, akron and  a  lot of little one street towns.

In the cold winter mornings  we would go to the flea Market in Cheektowaga

and set up a booth to invite people to take the lessons and receive free church videos.

We had success on getting a lot of referrals of people we could go and teach in the areas around us. We also met a lot of other people who were trying to tear us down... But that didn't stop us! 

Here we went to the Lilac festival to go and find people to teach. We thought we would go to where the people were. We also bought ourselves a little snack, kettle corn freshly made! "Delicious, I must say!"

Before the Lilac Festival we went to Janet's baptism. She was an investigator I taught and had a date for baptism but she ended up moving into the Elder's area. I was so proud of her because she had a fear of water and overcame it to get baptized.

This is Sister Amber Call, who was my last companion. She killed me off (in mission terms)! We served in the Webster Area, where all the educated and rich people lived. 

This was my last district.  I still can't believe how time flies... I'm just remembering all the good old times. I will never forget all those great experiences. I'm so grateful to have had the opportunity to serve.  Here's to being home for a year!

Eating out at Mimi's Cafe

Getting off from work  I got a text from Megan Singer and also my ex mission companion Sharon Freire to eat out with them. I was like heck yeah! Food and friends what a great combination, ehh...   So I started to get ready...  

If you know me you know I love eyeshadows! So I decided to put on three colors: sea green, pink and white. I use to wear make up all the time but now I go with a natural look once in a while. I just figure that wearing  too much make-up is just setting you up for more wrinkles in the future  and  I don't want that. Plus I've been working out a lot and make up just seems to run down your face so what's the point of piling it on. 

So  we all met up  at Mimi's Cafe,

it's not my favorite place to dine but we had a great time chatting

Behind me is Sharon then Emit Gill, Megan Singer and Joecy (Megan's friend)

 

They first started us off with bread. 

So there we go cutting into the bread and waiting for our food.

I looked at the menu and couldn't decide what I wanted to eat.

Until I found the Coconut Shrimp, "Aww Yeah!" 

Once our meal came Singer's brother and sister-in-law came. 

They are such a cute couple he's Navajo and she's from Venezuela.  Since Sharon and I were chatting away with Singer's family we didn't take anymore pictures after that. Plus we were enjoying our dinner. I must admit those Shrimps were yummy ! If I ever go back to mimi's cafe I know what to order now.