A Tall, Bearded Dude

Lately I have been asked if while I was in Alaska I met a tall bearded plaid wearing lumberjack Alaskan or a tall bearded dude who wears tight white t-shirts. Answer is...yes I met a tall bearded dude who wears tight white t-shirts. It was both interesting and funny that I was asked specifically about the beard and tight white t-shirt part. Actually, I met a couple tall bearded guys and one of them wore plaid often and the other one was always sporting a tight white t-shirt. I know this question is somewhat on the more joking side than the actual serious side, but in all realness and awesomeness I met a tall bearded dude who wears tight white t-shirts. His name?........ Wouldn't you all like to know! Good! Cause I'm going to tell you! Mark. Mark and I became good friends quickly. I think it was our love for Vitamin Water. ;) Mark and I on the surface seem very different, but we are not. I learned we are both feelers who enjoy reading, writing, snacking, and being crazy. I learned and am learning many things. I definitely count Mark as a blessing in my life. I am grateful I met a tall beared dude and that I can call him friend.

Cheesy Cherishing

September is here! Today is the unofficial last day of summer. This summer was amazing- absolutely amazing! I learned many things this summer and truthful still am learning from the many experiences I had. The AK Adventure brought many things- new friends, a fresh perspective, a strengthening of convictions, a resolution to continue to live my convictions. These are just a few of what stands out most. New friends. I made some incredible friends this summer. I worked, ate, lived, and played with some awesome people these past three months. I am so grateful that I developed the friendships I did! As cheesy as it may sound they really did take a place in my heart. At times we may have seemed quite different from one another, but in reality we are so similar. All trying to do our best and seeking to discover who we really are and experiencing life and living it to the fullest in the way we want to. I cherish my time in the AK with them with hopes of seeing them soon! Masaya Ang Aking Puso :)

Note: This is a short post on this subject. Detailed post coming soon! 

 

Bike Love

This is my new bike! Yes it is pink! Oh, and it has a basket! When I look at this bike I think of love. My sweet sister Mary restored this bike for me. She spent time this summer working on this bike for me, so that when I returned from Alaska and had my birthday a short time later she could give it to me. On Thursday afternoon my family blindfolded me and took me outside. When I removed my blindfold I saw this beauty before my eyes- my mouth dropped open with surprise and I cried! My birthday was extra special this year. I was with my family the people I love most! I'm thankful for the hard work my sister put in to giving me something I really wanted. But I'm more grateful for her love and sacrifice of time as she took apart, painted, and put together again a bike. I know I'll remember this birthday! I'll remember the overflowing amount of love I felt that day and the love of a dear sister when I ride it! Masaya Ang Aking Puso :)

Funn’t Parties.Hamburgers.10.

Friday was relaxing and fun! Lindsay and I went to Seward. It was fun to just to walk in the rainy misty air and wander into the fun shops they have. I had some awesome peppermint hot chocolate, a very good hamburger, and some yummy mint chocolate chip ice cream which was super creamy by the way. I bought a few more souvenirs, of course picture picture, and enjoyed talking with Lindsay. We went to a thrift shop and I bought…prepare yourself….a Donny Osmond record! Cool huh? It’s fun to say I bought a record, not a CD or downloaded an album, but I actually purchased a record. Friday was my last full off from work that I was able to play. I’m glad that I did something fun! Later that night we had a party for all the housekeepers. It was a P party- we wore our pajamas, ate pizza, pixie sticks, pretzels, drank pop, played games, and got wacky awards. I got the “most likely to…find you something to do” award. I say that quite often here near the end of the work day when the rooms are all clean and the “everyday” chores are done. Oh, and what party would be complete if there wasn’t any picture picutre. I had a really good time! I am so thankful I have so many new good friends! My experience was enhanced greatly, because of the people I have met here. I’m thankful for them. On Saturday a bunch of us ate in the restaurant here at the lodge for Mark’s birthday. It was super fun! Everyone got “dressed up”- when I say dressed up I mean hair was not just ponytails or messy buns, button up/dress shirts, and me with all my flare. It was fun to be all together eating somewhere other than the EDR. I had…guess… a hamburger! Do I really ever have anything else? That’s what I ask myself. Anyway, it was good! It had fresh bleu cheese and bacon on it. I recommend trying it. Things are going good and I can not believe that a week from tonight I’ll be saying my “see you laters” and then the next morning leaving on a jet plane not knowing when I’ll be back again. I’m so glad I came to Alaska! This has been an amazing summer! 

Masaya Ang Aking Puso :)

Note: My birthday is in 10 days! 

Say What?

Tonight I would like to pay a small tribute to my girls from my days at USU! Kristina, Katie, Nikki, Monica, Jessica this post is for you girls after all we all shared this quote wall and it's interestingly awesome quotes! For those of you reading through these and wondering...what is this all about? Well, this is a small look into time at USU, living in good ol' Cobble Creek. Enjoy

“If you’re here…who’s watching hell?”

Wanna go make out behind the curio stand?

Why can’t we make out?

I don’t even know how it would be to be that stupid- Monica 

Do your lips get tan?

Boys are dumb and when you forget they’ll remind you!

Looks aren’t your type. -Kristina

I think it’d be fun to pee blue for awhile. -Jessica

That’s commitment right there.- Monica

You’re ugly but you interest me.    

I’m not an honest person, but you’re interesting. -David T

Weight bearing exercise: Carrying your child around the mall for an hour. -Kristina 

I’d lock her in a cage and show her off!

The pit of hell opened and she jumped in. (concerning Britney Spears) -Clint

We let the bread rise for too long and the yeast got tired. Jessica

The dishwasher has a wheel? Jessica

Sugar… we offer both kinds- Kristina

As my personal space heater. Trista (The Bachelorette Wedding)

With this ring I marry you- Trista

Throw rocks at boys

So, what is your guys house going to look like? 

Guns don’t make friends, but they do make money. 

-Justin “Capital G”

Does it hurt when I do that?-Katie Jane

My underwear is too tight. Nikki

I hope that’s a Halloween Costume

Boo is Oob backwards Nikki

I’m funny huh- Katie Jane

A plan of action and a plan for action

We do not support cognitive dissonance- Monica & Katie

I think it would be fun to make out in a tree- Jessica

Foreign objects do not go in the toilet

Do it for the beer

I’ve got eggs…in a carton…in the fridge. -Jessica

Stop it, or I’ll bury you alive in box!

Is it 10:30 yet? -Katie Jane

So, do you wanna make our own fireworks? -Katie Jane

Isn’t that illegal -Ron

Girls = Time x Money

Time=Money

Girls=Money2 

Money=(root) of evil

Money2=Evil

Girls=Evil

   Is a nun -Mandy

Everyone makes dew

Excuse me, can we leave the parking lot now, I’m getting hungry? -Katie Jane

I just wanna be an idiot 

Don’t get your snug from a slug

There is no U in love, there’s no I in love either

I can’t put a bra on my face

So, how about you what makes you want to ralph? -Mike

I don’t want her to die

See prayers really do come true -Adam M

That’s it I’m not wearing pants -Monica

You’re not in that class.

Sluttly, slutty, slut, slut times 3, times me

You know what I wish… I wish I had a cute boy here to cuddle with to keep me warm. -Katie Jane

Garbagemen are ugly!

Sometimes I could just look at your face and laugh -Monica, Katie, Nikki

Jessica is too sexy for her cat, What do you think about that?

Um, is this chicken? I know its tuna but is it chicken?

Sombreros and maracas- Jessica & Kristina

The theory of date

They’re never going to buy the cow if you give away the milk for free.

We don’t believe in BYU up here

Justifying it doesn’t make it right, it makes it seem right

Ever wondered if he was a mate, or just a date -MSN

I don’t like food anymore

What… I love her she says its ok

Work definitely won’t kill you, but why take the chance Adam V

No Habla Espanol

I don’t want to I have butterflies in my stomach! -Katie R

Hey you in the hat, you’re cute! -Jessica

Dosh hoofen sveter

Sometimes.. Skipping class pays off. -Katie Jane

I love the kind that make you feel taller when you sit on them. -Katie R

Coke is our friend

Its like a natural disaster… it just happens!

Life must have been tough

If I were someone…

The girl who marries Kurt is going to be a very lucky girl -Jessica

There is no emotion in the wall. 

 

Reflect. Ready...Set...Awesome

A couple of weeks from tonight I’ll be in Provo. I will no longer be stripping bed sheets, picking up dirty wet towels, eating at the EDR, wearing my over sized hunter green polo and khaki pants with my janitor like keys and radio, no more chilling in lower rec, no more walks to Wildman’s, just to name a few. I will miss my new found friends, the beauty of this place, the cooler summer mornings, Taco Tuesday, etc.  I have that somewhat familiar feeling in my heart of knowing it’s all right to go home and let go that it’s time. I had similar feelings when I left the Philippines. I loved it, I learned many things and still am, but it’s time and I’m not as anxious or worried about the newness of being in Provo once again. I’m excited to see family and friends! Excited to be back in school, excited that fall will be super close when I return, excited to celebrate my birthday and turn 26, excited for the adventures of life- the unknown and known! Life is grand! I’m grateful for the awesome and maybe not so awesome things I have experienced thus far in my first quarter of a century. As I reflect there is still much to learn from some of those experiences. I feel I truly am becoming the woman I desire to be and who God desires me to be. He truly is my Teacher, my Father, and my Friend. In yesterday’s post I mentioned a few of the things I have learned and understand more clearly now. I’m glad learning and experiencing is eternal. 

Today was another interesting and fun day at work. It was steady, but not overly crazy. I like these days. I’m not running around like a crazy person and get to enjoy work a little more. It was another nice afternoon the sun shining brightly and the mountains looking amazing as the little bit of morning clouds and fog blew out of here. I have yet to get tired of the beauty of this place. I love butterflies and today I saw an amazing one- it was black with orange and yellow polka dots on it’s wings. They were so round they looked painted on. It’s amazing to think God created all those things and knows them all perfectly. Masaya Ang Aking Puso :)

“Promised blessings are beyond measure. Though the storm clouds may gather, though the rains may pour down upon us, our knowledge of the gospel and our love of our Heavenly Father and of our Savior will comfort and sustain us and bring joy to our hearts as we walk uprightly and keep the commandments. There will be nothing in this world that can defeat us. Fear not. Be of good cheer. The future is as bright as your faith.”  -President Thomas S. Monson (April 2009)

Experience The Experience 101th

Today is my 101th day here in The Great Land! I can’t believe that I’ve been here for that long and that in 2 weeks I’ll be heading home. I’m enjoying my time here and am grateful for the things that I’ve learned and are learning. There are things I know without a doubt. I know God is real and knows me personally. I know people and things are placed into my life to learn from. I know I want to continue learning more about the hospitality industry. I know Alaska is beautiful place. I’ve learned more than ever how important it is to look for similarities not differences and more importantly to love and respect others.  

On Friday Lindsay and I drove to Anchorage to pick up “The Dream Team”- Trevor, Mark, Phil, and Irv from their trip. It was fun to play in Anchorage for a day. We went to the mall, ate at the food court, dropped the boys off at the movie theater and than Lindsay and I went to Old Navy, Michael's, and Target. After we picked up the boys we went to the Wal-Mart. It was awesome to do more everyday things and be around town and actually drive more than 10 mph (that’s the speed limit on property). It was enjoyable shopping and eating out for a change. Those are random little things I’ve missed a bit. The weather has been pleasant the last few days. The mornings and nights are on the chilly side, but the afternoons are sunny and warm (about 65). 

The lodge has been busy and full! Work is steady and Mondays and Saturdays are still busy, good, crazy days! I’m so glad I’m here and that I’ve had this opportunity. I’d like to come back next summer if the opportunity is there.  Masaya Ang Aking Puso.