On Belay?!

This morning my parents came in and woke us up at 7:15 to eat breakfast (we had left-over apple struddle. . . I thought that was funny) and packed to go to the mountain. I decided to bring my guitar along for a mid-day mountain jam session. So, each of us toted our Nalgenes and hopped in the Corsica.

It was definitely interesting to climb with the family. We set up three climbs (a 5.4, 5.7 and a 5.10 for all of you climbing gurus. . . for those of you not up to date on the climbing lingo -- that means amatueur, seasoned and fairly difficult) . We drove to the very top of the mountain, and then hiked down a ways to the west side of the moutain overlooking the valley of rolling hills and small farms. It was so beautiful! The climb began in the forest, but ended with a magnificent veiw. I considered myself luck to witness such a fantastic crescendo. We picked the perfect day (ironic, considering it was December 30th)-- 62 degrees and sunny. North Carolina has a gentle beauty-- today I sort of understood why I usually find it among the "top ten outdoor states".

Today was one of the first times rock-climbing where I didn't feel like a complete novice (although I couldn't get over this one over-hang . . . maybe if I had done it first, but I was totally worn out). . . anyhow, it was great. My mom, after tiring from my constant pleading to at least "give it a try", made her way up the rock a bit and then did a very nice pose so my dad could get a picture. We packed up as the sun was setting, and then hiked out. But, dad forgot his camera, so we made it back down the steap trail, retrieved it, and then hiked out agian. Plus, we got to hike to the lookout for another great view of the setting sun. On the way home we stopped at Wendy's and compared battle wounds with everyone.

I know this was pretty detailed, but I'm not quite tired enough for bed and not in the mood for movies, so blogging it is. I suppose in these next few weeks of only-childdom, you will be hearing a bit more from me. I am nervous that I will be bored to death-- but hopefully I can find things to do and make my way out a week before so that I can snowboard. I love reading everyone's updates, so DON'T STOP, and for those of you experiencing a blogging drought (uh-hem, Fern!), please grace us once again. I guess that's it. KRD-triple nine clear (did I hear a niner ?). . .over an' out.

Here's a photo of Pilot moutain (I know, I'm procrastinating going to bed).

therr ain't no down time in Durham

I finally have a minute to post. We (me, linny, cath, mom and dad) just got back from running around Duke trail, eating at Cosmic Cantina and buying some new shoes at 9th St. Active Feet. We are going to see "Finding Neverland" at 4:20, and then tonight we are going to make apple struddle and have our annual winter-roast in the garden (ki's potato salad, grilled vegies & chicken and pickles). We wrote out a calander of all the things we wanted to do this week, so now our week is packed.

Yesterday was a lot of fun--We woke up, went swimming at the YMCA pool, Mom cut my hair-- a blunt straight trim and short bangs in front. I really like it (even though Cath insists I look more "girlie and very Seventeen-magazine"). I'll post a picture of it soon to see what the consensus is. Then we went thrift store shopping until 5pm Then Zak came and picked me up at about 5:30 or 6:00.I don't really think that I can express accurately and honestly my relationship with Zak. Last night he decided that he does not want to communicate with me any more (for our sanity), and so that was our "last night" to spend time together. Going on a mission has certainly offered closure in so many areas of my life. Zak has been my constant throughout high school and beyond, I never wondered when I would see him, or if I would see him--so saying "goodbye" was definitely bittersweet. We were planning on going to the UNC basketball game, but decided not to since we would be watching the game the whole time (and he doesn't want to connect basketball--to angela for the rest of his life), so we went to Pepper's Pizza (classic), and then talked for the rest of the night until 1:30.

On Dec 23, he and I and Erin and Jessi went to our high school reunion at George's Garage (Duke Campus area). I cannot believe all of the people that we saw! I don't think any of them had seen Zak since high school, and everyone was freaking out at seeing the four of us together. Almost everyone looked the same. . . but there were of course a few shockers. The token "reformed nerd", the pretty-girl turned ragged, and then the ever-present "unchangables" who look and act almost exactly the same (granted their speech was a little more slurred). We only stayed for about an hour, and then spent the next hour talking about everyone and laughing.

Well, tomorrow the fam is going rock-climbing at Pilot Mountain with a family from the ward. It should be pretty interesting (especially if we can convince my mom to go)! And then the next day Curtis! (cath's "FRIEND") arrives from Boston for the big new-year's Bash.

Holiday at the Hatch House

Here's a little bit of Christmas from my house:

Here we are Christmas morning, a little tired but excited to open presents. My brother Kevin wouldn't be in the picture, so he's the one taking it.


Linny-roo and I both got matching pajamas, so naturally we had to model them and take a photo.


My sisters and I are always complete angels (this is Catherine, me and lindsey)-- sitting in front of the Christmas tree right before our big Christmas dinner:


Okay, so maybe we aren't always angels. This is us doing our "You Tiger" face in mom's lipstick. Yeah, we still play dress up.


This is me on our way out to look at lights on Christmas Eve. . . we took a little tour of the lights around Park-hood and then headed back and had our traditional Nueskiphrels (Austrian walnut cookies that we only have at Christmas) and strawberry Ice Cream:

Hark, how the bells. . .

It's 9:22 am, my mom is upstairs ringing these bells and my dad is chasing her. These bells have become kind of a Christmas tradition-- but my mom just broke them (catherine called her a ravaging beast. . . don't ask me why-- and now they're all singing "I heard the bells on Christmas Day") I am waiting to go into the front room to open presents. I am still full from yesterday's meal, and my voice is sore from Christmas caroling last night. Some things never change. Merry Christmas everyone!

writing in the windy city

I am in Chicago right now chillin' at the internet kiosk in the airport. . . I'm about to call Jo b/c she'll be here in about 20 minutes too (I'm with Cath and Chris and Abby Clark were on our same flight also). Things have been crazy-go-nuts these last couple of days getting things together before I left Provo. I packed up all of my stuff, moved out of my house, cleaned, played and said my goodbyes to everyone (well, almost everyone RANDY!)-- The girls took me out to PF-Changs for dinner and we did some Christmas shopping. THe next morning, I went with Cath to drop deaner off at the airport. Then we did some more Christmas shopping at the Gateway in SLC-- and met up with JO who came down to chill for the weekend. It was so much fun! We went ice skating and ate and played and talked sooo much.

I can't wait to get home tonight! ERIN: this is for you! I am coming home tonight, and I can't wait to see you! I have been thinking about you because I'm going to be here for a whole month (I go into the MTC Feb 2), and so I'll finally get to meet ALL of your UNC friends and chill with you in Chapel Hill! YEAH! I miss you!

Well, other than that, I am still so psyched about LA-- that city is so huge and full of hispanics! This girl told me that I'm one of about 6 spanish sisters in LA, and there's tons of work to do. I have never really lived in a huge city, so this will definitely be a new experience for me! As for spanish, I am so worried! I hope that I can actually learn it, but right now I feel so GRINGO. I can't even say "hola" and sound authentically hispanic. I suppose that will come with time. One this is for sure: I AM SO EXCITED!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE! Hope you all have a wonderful holiday season!

DRUMROLL PLEASE!!

Yesterday at 2pm Angela Hatch arrived home and immediately checked the mail. The key turned and her eyes, wide with excited anticipation, went as blank as the gray empty mailbox she was looking into. She thought in the back of her head Perhaps the mailman hasn't come yet, but tried not to get too excited.

Catherine, the curly-haired-mission-loving-spanish-speaking-older sister, arrived at Southridge as the mailman was sorting the mail (Hatch inside at this point), Catherine notices large envelope and hastily asks, "is that a mission call?" Luckily, mailman was from Provo and understanding strange mormon lingo replied: "Why, yes it is."

Obviously Catherine brought in call, and knowing that she couldn't just hand it to Hatch, placed it on the stove and then told Hatch that "You're cookin' something weird on the stove." Ignoring this strange comment (happens a lot), Catherine in her persistance asked Hatch again-- to check the strange thing that was cookin' on the stove. Hatch glanced at the stove to realize that Catherine was indeed right! There, on the stove was a large white evelope (Hatch at this point was thrilled substance was not actually "cookin" as Cath had said). In shock, both sisters began to cry. Realizing the stupidity of crying before opening call, both sisters tried to stop-- but efforts proved fruitless.

Third sister must be found. Hatch and Cath (along with boyfriend Curtis) went to find Lindz, the color-coded-brunette-bombshell younger sis, dutifully studying at the BYU library. Luckily, Hatch found her after silent pleading prayer. "where should we go?" everyone wanted to know. "To Fern's apartment!" Hatch replied. "We will open it outside!

Alas, the group gathered on the grass (all of the girls at this point were spastically jumping and screaming, dangling their cameras from their wrists and giving short hugs). Call was ripped open and Hatch immediately found where it said:

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA MISSION!

Shouts rang out! Cheers and tears exploded (heck, I think angels might have even started singing) as everyone jumped, hugged and photographed moment. Cath told Hatch to read entire call, so Hatch followed. Suddenly cheers rang out again! Hatch was going to LA:

SPANISH SPEAKING!

Cheers all around! Hugs! Lindz, Fern, Hatch and Cath engaged in jumping, hugging happy session. "Spanish speaking, LA? Amazing!" "How perfect! How fitting!" "I can't believe it! I am so excited!"

Hatch will, of course, accept the call and report to MTC February 2, (8 days prior to 22 birthday), to learn to teach gospel and speak spanish language for 9 weeks. Hatch could not be more genuinely happy and excited with call (must admit thankful call did not read 'temple square--worried at estrogen level of mission-- although would have happily gone anywhere assigned). Hatch expresses embarrassment and sorrow for not contacting friends sooner.

OKAY: I justed wanted to let everyone know (in first person), that I am so excited to go the LA, Spanish speaking! there is only one LA mission, which covers the whole "downtown" area and suberbs to the west (ie: Beverly Hills, Ranch Palos Verdes-- yes, ryan lives there, Hollywood etc). I talked to this guy yesterday who said his friend served there and loved it. . . apparently there are a lot of hispanics who live in LA and there is a lot of work for me to do. YES! And I think the warm weather will definitely be a plus! Thanks everyone, for your support-- YOU'RE WONDERFUL!

Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket

I thought I would put up a picture of my favorite constellation (the Seven Sisters). The night before last I was running with Aubrey and Nick late at night on the Provo River Trail. The sky was so much more alive without man-made lights to diminish their glow. I would always see the Seven Sisters when I went to the outhouse in the middle of the night at Badger Creek. I know I only have five sisters, but for some reason it would always remind me of my family when I saw it (actually, it still does). I love the night sky! I think it teaches me about keeping my focus on the "big picture" and remaining grounded on a good foundation. Perhaps Job was a naturalist too:

But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee: Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee: and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee. Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the LORD hath wrought this? In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.

I know it looks like I'm getting head-start on my mission, but I love that scripture. Nothing brings me closer to heaven than the earth.

Yesterday was a mess. I spent five hours in the library working on a "group" presentation. Then I met with my group and we worked until about 8 pm. Then Aubrey took me to Barnes and Nobles to study for my World Religion final, but it closed, so I went to the library until 2am. Then I studied for another hour, woke up this morning at 6am, studied more and went and took it. I did well, but I wish that he had asked me everything that I had stored up in my brain instead of just picking a few of the things that I had learned. . . acutally, it was probably a good thing because I could barely form sentences I was so tired. I have another final in an hour and a half, and then I will be NEARLY DONE!

It's beginning to look a lot like. . . Exam time.

Last night I went to the Collete Christmas party, and I was reminded of what I was doing at this time last year. After one cousin threw a bus-jab, I found myself once again defending my unconventional ideals. I couldn't believe that it was only one year ago exactly, that I was living in "the bus" behind Tim's house. I remember Nicki telling me one time that I smelled like the bus. That could only mean one thing: I smelled bad (a mixture of propane, musty 10-year-old mexican blankets and an unidentifiable stench that loomed constantly in the bus air). I can't believe that I had absolutely zero responsibilities and lived completely by myself. There was a definite paradigm shift after that experience; a selfish existance is not fulfilling nor rewarding (granted my lifestyle was closer to asceticism than indulgence. . but still).

This weekend I said, "I have an ability to see the past" (no, I did not realize that this was a stupid comment at the time). It seems to me that I should have mentioned that I have an amazing ability to dwell on it (or at least write about it )-- SO, let's move to the present.
This weekend was fabulous-- JOSIE (that's another one of Carrie Jo's names) came into town! HOORAY! I can easily say it was one of the best weekends of the semester. All day on Friday I was hurrying to get all of my pre-weekend errands done. I biked to the grocer (ay, and the butcher too, me lad!. . .just kidding), went running, showered, cleaned house, made pizza dough, finished a bit of homework and did laundry.

Fern came over at like 6:30 to help me cut up stuff for our personal pan pizza's that we were having that night (a tribute to our annual Hatch New Year's Eve bashes), and Cath and Curt came too and helped. We were all hungry when she got here, so we made our grub, and ate. The whole ordeal took quite a bit of time, but it was really fun and they tasted delicious. Afterward, we went to Fern's house, then to Wal Mart, and then back to Fern's for dessert. It was so fun to hang out with the three of us! We really are getting older, but it doesn't seem real to me. We don't know any of the new popular words (like "I'm amped to do that.") and all of the new songs are "too loud, or lame".

The next day we went to the Gateway Mall in SLC to Christmas shop, but alas, we are broke ladies, so we didn't buy anything (but chocolate, of course) and then rode the tracks back to the car after our Mexican dinner. We sat in the hot tub for a bit and then went to bed.

Church was great on Sunday--we had our Christmas program. This is the best ward I have ever been in and I love my bishopric. But Sunday always seems to be the busiest day of the week! Catherine came over that night and we sang Christmas carols and drank passion tea under the stars. . . hooray for harmonizing Cath. . .

Hope everyone is having a wonderful Holiday! I better get back to my exams!

Let is snow (not slush)!!

I see the end! Hallelujah! I could sit here and write about how I'm studying for exams and blah blah blah. . . but I'll spare you the details on that since it is absolutely not interesting. Instead, I'll see if I can highlight a few of the good things about these past couple of days:

I just went to my last lecture in world religions (which was actually the only enjoyable class that I took this semester). The professor is from Korea and kind of a contrast to the usual american style of lecture/discussion teaching. His closing remarks were powerful and I found myself getting a little teary-eyed in class.

I also had my last ward activity yesterday evening-- I could only go for a bit, but I must say that this has been the best ward that I have ever been a part of (in college, that is). The bishopric seemed to really care about us-- and I got to know them better by visiting their homes for FHE, being on activities committee and through preparing for the mission.

I noticed something today that I really like about the rain: as I walk I can see the reflection of the trees in the sidewalk-- it's kind of an eerie gray and white reflection, but I like that I can see it if I change my perspective.

I also have a few things to look forward to: CARRIE/JO is coming down this weekend! YIPEE! I am so excited because it will just be us three amigas (c, me and ferngully). AND, we're planning on going to the sing-along Messiah in the huge (and very beautiful) concert hall in SLC on Friday night! I remember going to these with mom when I was much younger. . . and I don't think I appreciated singing in my "false-etto" voice "KING OF KINGS!" back then. I have been warming up my vocal chords every morning in preparation.

On the verge . . .

Hibbity-hooo! Guess what e'rybody!? My papers (mission, that is) are in! I gave the stake President my final answer yesterday and he's going to mail them today. I'm guessing I'll get my call around Christmas time, and although my availability date says Jan 5th, I probably will be staying in NC for about two months. Yeah! I realized that the whole process (once I made the decision last fast Sunday) took exactly one month-- from fast Sunday to fast Sunday. . . but it felt like forever! It's funny for me to think now that I would still be going to New Zealand in a month. I love how things can change so fast!

I made another decision this weekend. I finally openly admitted that I do not like the BYU RMYL major. I loved it in Idaho because it had a completely different focus, but I dread EVERY single rec class I have here. I don't feel challenged. I don't care how close I am to finishing, I will not be satisfied with my college experience unless I feel like I left smarter than when I entered. After talking to Grandpa last night (I found out he majored in elementary ed and said he felt the same way) I have decided that when I return from the mission, I am going to major in Print Journalsim. It's a great job if I want to stay at home and if I wanted to teach, all I need is a teaching certificate for my state and I can teach journalism in high-school. So, that was my second discovery. Since I only have 4 classes to finish RMYL, I'll probably double major and try writing for an outdoor or fitness magazine.

I spent some time with Fern last night-- watching the Christmas fireside and making some dang-good chocolate chip cookies. For those of you who don't know, Fern and I became friends our second day of college at ward prayer in July, 2001. We started talking and I decided that since neither of us knew anyone, we should just be friends. I moved in, and we have been buds ever since! She married Tyler, one of our friends, and she lives in Emily's exact apartment at Y-mount.

The Education of Angela Marie

There's a large teal book starring at me from across the table: Viral Infections of Humans -- and suddenly I realize that writing this paper and doing my powerpoint really isn't all that bad.

I had a great day yesterday! First, I got up at 6:20 to swim with Catherine and make french toast. Then, I went to my class, got a lot done and then got ready to go snowbording with Aubrey and Tom in Park City. It was Benifit Day up there, so I only had to pay $15. Eventhough Utah supposedly has the "best snow" around and awesome resorts, I always find myself wishing I was at Targhee with all of the powder and runs that I know. Regardless, I had a great time. Then, Tom dropped us off in SLC at Temple Square where I met my ward for a night looking at the lights and watching Testaments. The lights were so pretty! Props to Nicki. . . she was one of the people who put up all the lights on Temple Square this year. This morning I went to eat breakfast with Randy, and then grocery shopping (thanks again!).

This morning when I was lying in bed, I came to the conclusion that I am ready for this semester to be over. These transitional periods are kind of strange. I am sort of hovering between action and inaction. There's only so much I can do right now and only so much others are willing to do also. After all, I am leaving in x amount of days, and am going to ______ , and with everything so set in stone I should be straight chillin' . . . all I can say is that at least tomorrow is SUNDAY!

one week & one not so weak

These past few days have been wonderfully strange. I don't think I have ever in my life witnessed God so much in all of things I do. This week everything seems to be reaching an end-- and not an abrupt one, but a perfect one. I feel like every door that was left hanging open, all of my "what ifs", every "why did I do that" have all been gently resolved, closed and washed away. I stand amazed! In a world where everything seemed so fleeting, so 'blown about by the wind', I suddenly feel so very sure of what I'm supposed to do. I don't know if it's happiness, joy, sadness, fear or my desire for consistancy that leaves this uneasy-can't-eat feeling in my stomach-- but I do know that my emotions have reached a new level of sensetivity and I am unable to walk and not feel. Dramatic? Perhaps, but I still can't shake this off. I won't elaborate on the details, so it is enough to say that I am ready and waiting for Sunday-- once again.

I think every non-secure thought that I do have has made manifest in my dreams-- man! They are getting more bazzerk by the night. Last night I was floating the Haw River, singing while whiping willow branches across the water and watching huge fish (one that looked like a dog and had been in the river for 38 years) with hippie bearded men who "knew the river" and the strange old women who trusted them.

And to prove that I am still normal and not just a mass of emotion and strange river dreams-- here's the basics: I have been working on homwork, projects and presentations. I am getting ready for the end of the school year and spending my free time with friends (Fern & Randy). Since my thoughts are generally occupied, and my apartment usually empty-- it's nice to not be alone.