Water, A Power Bar, A Machete

This morning Guy and I hiked to the Y. It was fun! The weather was beautiful this morning. We started up the trail with our water, camera, and a machete.  I seem to forget how steep the trail is and whoa I was breathing heavy super fast. (I think part of that would be the coke I love) Depsite the crazy breathing in the beginning it was a lot of fun and felt good. There were very few hikers this morning, it was nice to not have loads of people. I love the view from the Y- seeing both the Provo and the Mount Timpanognas Temples, the lake, and finding spots like the MTC, hospital, my house, etc. I also love how the trees all look from the 'bird's eye view'.  The best part of hiking to the Y this morning was talking and laughing with Guy. I know I've said it many times, but he is awesome company. I enjoy spending time with him. I'm glad that we went hiking this morning. I'm grateful the weather was beautiful. I'm grateful for the new sweet memories. 

Crazy I Tell You

This next week is going to be crazy! Crazy I tell you! I leave for Alaska in 8 and a half days! I am super excited and well... yes nervous too. Alaska is going to be an adventure. An adventure that I feel I am in need of. Even with the nervousness and feeling a little sad about leaving good ol' Provo I am at peace with embarking on this adventure. I'm looking forward to living in the mountains, reading, writing, meeting new people, getting some great work experience, and many other things. Visiting Alaska has been a dream of mine since I was a little girl. I am excited to fulfill that dream! The last few days I've been doing a lot of writing and pondering. I'm not ready to share that writing, in time...yes it's a possibility. As I've shared in other posts- writing is important to me, it has a very part of me. I've enjoyed writing stories and recording my thoughts, feelings, and ideas for as long as I can remember, I'm thankful for that. Writing is liberating, powerful, and personal. Masaya Ang Aking Puso :)

A Thirdhand Serenade

This morning after class as I drove home I rolled down the window turned up some Secondhand Serenade and sang along! How lucky were all of you who happened to be next to me at the traffic lights and 4-way stops. You had the opportunity to have me serenade you it doesn't happen often that I feel like singing so freely with the window down, but today it felt awesome! Today as the sun is shinning down so brightly and full of warmth it feels so good to be soaking it in. After Guy and I went to lunch we went for a walk at the park. What a great day for a walk! The only thing maybe missing would have to be a root beer snow cone. With awesome company, interestingly excellent conversation, sunshine, and a full tummy there's not much more I could ask for though. I'm grateful for Guy and that I can talk openly and without feeling like I better hold back and protect myself. We talk about it all- and I mean it all, I love it! I'm grateful that the sun is shinning today. I'm thankful for the guidance of Heavenly Father and the peace I am feeling. Heavenly Father is real- He listens and speaks to me He is teaching me. I'm thankful He has created and given such a beautiful place to live and enjoy. Masaya Ang Aking Puso :)

A Logan Adventure + Memories = Sweetness

Last Friday, I took a little road trip to Logan with Kristina and Meghan to see Nikki and support her in her senior exhibit. It was so fun! We ate quite a bit of food, bought new aggie gear, and laughed a ton! I have so many awesome memories of Logan and the time that I've spent there. As a wise friend said to me, "Memory is a great movie." Guy is right- memories are a great movie. As we drove to Logan, went to campus, and drove around Cache Valley memories filled my mind. I have many sweet, crazy ones of that place. I'm grateful for those times and the things that I learned during the time I lived there. Memories are sweet! The food that day was excellent! Firehouse Pizza and Olive Garden- it was all way yummy! It was so fun to laugh with the girls and remember the crazy fun times we've had. I am so glad that I had the opportunity to live with them and that we have become such excellent friends.  

ipod greatness

On Monday I entered even further into the technololgy world, by purchasing an ipod touch. Good investment! I don't like dropping large amounts of money, so this was a carefully considered researched purchase. I'm enjoying it! It's simple to use and helpful. Guy has been awesome with all my ipod questions. The notepad app is awesome! I use the one on my cell phone often, but the ipod one is more "Katie friendly".    Yesterday, Dad, Mary and I went to Buddy's for lunch. It was fun to just sit and chill with them. I know another short post, but I've more homework to finish up. This coming week is the last week of classes! It's crazy!  

Summer Reading List

One thing I am LOOKING FORWARD to doing this summer is READING. I love to read! I have a number of books that I've started and have not been able to finish because of school assignments. I have a list of books that I am going to read, but I am looking for MORE books to read. Any suggestions? 

Musing Over My Writing

Yesterday, I found a bunch of poems I wrote my senior year of high school. They're fun to read and also bring some awesome reflection.  I've enjoyed writing for as long as I can remember. Writing poems, short stories and essays has long since been a passion of mine. Lately, I have really been enjoying writing again. Writing brings insight and perspective. It allows for expressing feelings, hopes, and dreams. Writing is an outlet as well. An outlet to express feelings and reflect on them at the time written as well as later. I want to keep writing. I will keep writing. It's interesting I don't share my writings often, but I've found this blog to be a way to share some thoughts of mine. So, since I spent some time musing over my 12th grade poems, I thought I'd share one of them. It's interesting this poem is titled "I Am". I am is a creative self declaring statement. One of the things I've been thinking about and even writing about over the last year, not knowing I had started writing about it with a poem when I was 17. Over the years I have learned more and more that I existed long before I came to earth.  Here it is "I Am", written by 17 year-old Katie.    I like it! ;) 

I Am

I am a butterfly, free and curious of new found experiences and hopes.

I am a red jeep climbing the mountain of life reaching goals and overcoming obstacles.

I am Salsa, spicy and lively, yet mild and calm.

I am a fish exploring the waters of the unknown and full of freedom making decisions myself.

I am Spring bright and cheerful, seeking to learn and grow. 

Masaya ang aking puso :)

Me...Tech Savvy? Hmmm...I Am A Virus Waiting To Happen

One year ago today I created my blog. Over the last few months I have posted more frequently and have figured out how to use most of the features. ( Good work, Katie)  I still find it funny that when I first returned home from my mission I had no idea what a blog was and what people were referring to. It's interesting how in short time technology among other things change and advance. I'm acutally getting to type this post on my laptop. Yeah, that's right my laptop- the one a bought like 6 years ago before heading up to Logan. Guy has been great helping me clean it and update. Well, helping me probably isn't the best way to say it more like he's been doing it and telling me what steps I need to do next. I am not really 'tech savvy'. As I was told today I am a virus waiting to happen. LOL! I am grateful he's willing to do it and be patient as I try and follow along. Today's weather is quite different from yesterday. The wind is blowing there are low gray clouds. I am hoping if we are going to receive moisture- I am hope it is some good hard rain! I love the rain! The rain stroms in the Philippines are incredible! I had never seen rain like that before. (As I typed that I couldn't help, but think of the Shawn Colvin song, "I never saw blue like that before", great song! But that's a post for another day) The rain just came and came. I got to wear my rainboots. (Which I love doing by the way)  So, maybe today we'll get some good rain, not snow- RAIN! Today, has been another productive day. Guy and I went to several places checking out iPod prices. They were the same everywhere we went, but the Wal-Mart which was only cheaper by like 5 dollars. It was fun today talking and laughing with Guy. He's excellent company.  So, I best continuing this productive day and do some homework. Oh, check it out I've been an awesome blog updater these last few days! Yea me! ;)  Masaya ang aking puso. 

An Otter Pop and A Rolled Down Window

Hello Spring! The Spring SUNSHINE greeted me this morning as I left for class. What a beautiful morning! (I really wanted to burst out in Oklahoma just now- Oh, what a beautiful morning oh what a beautiful day I've got a beautiful feeling... okay so I couldn't resist.) The sun was high and amazing this morning. Mount Timpanogas looks AMAZINGLY awesome this time of year with it's snow CAPPED peaks and robin egg blue sky surrounding it. I'm thankful Heavenly Father created such a beautiful place for us. TODAY, I had my first otter pop of the season. It was yummy! I love FLAVORED ice and slushes- well I just love chewing ice! (I seriously think I've mentioned that in several conversations over the last few days.) Today, I even got to roll down the WINDOW in my car! I love that! Window down, sunglasses on, cool BREEZE, upbeat music, and little traffic- it's a well AWESOME! I love driving with the window down! Today, I am grateful for TRUTH- to know it and have it! I'm grateful to know God LOVES me and is COMPLETELY aware of who I am and what I need! I am choosing to stand with Him and think, speak, do, essentially- what truth REQUIRES. I'm grateful to be PECULIAR. I feel reFRESHed today. I am CHEERFUL. I am LOVING. I am CREATIVE. I am BELIEVING. I am Katie. I am peculiar and loved by God. Masaya ang aking puso :)

He Hears Me

It's April! The sun is shinning brightly today with the temperature more pleasant than it has been these first weeks of Spring. Today, there are many things in my mind. Answers to prayers is one of them. This last weekend was General Conference. For the last few weeks I've been thinking about questions- thoughts about what I feel I need to hear and know- what Heavenly Father needs me to hear- to know. As I was searching and pondering I found specific principles, things I need at this season. What's awesome is how the messages become personalized for who I am. I know Heavenly Father is listening to me and answering. He truly is into the details of my life. As I remain faithful to the covenants I have made with Him. I will have the righteous desires of my heart. I know He hears me. I'm thankful for the answers I receive that come in so many ways. I'm thankful for the words I heard this weekend, for the strength I am receiving. I'm grateful to Him for my family and for the friends in my life. I'm grateful He heard my plea for a new friend. I'm so glad He did! Masaya ang aking puso! :)
This song from Hilary Weeks I love.

Here I am again, down on my knees
And with every pleading word,
Thy comfort I seek
Though the words are slow to come,
My thoughts are racing by
Peace fills the room,
Thy spirit is nigh
He hears me
When I'm crying in the night
He hears me
When my soul longs to fight
Till the morning will come
And the light of the dawn reassures...
He hears me Any hour,
wherever I may be
In the silence of an empty room,
or on a croweded street
Whether offering thanks,
or in urgency I pray
I never go unnoticed,
I'm never lead astray
Any whisper of the soul
No matter how old Father hears the call

Is Honesty the Best Policy?

Honesty.
I'm writing a paper for an ethics class about honesty. Is honesty the best policy? If yes, why is it? If no, why not? Are there "special" circumstances that one does not need to be honest? If yes, what are those circumstances? I'm looking for opinons if "honesty is the best policy". Please share your insight. Leave a comment or send me an email. Thanks!