Into the belly of the earth. . .

I know this is small, but the little blue head
is Matt from our group swimming in the canyon

This is me on the last repel


When we came out of the canyon, this is the view
that greeted us

I have to tell everyone about Canyoneering this weekend in Zion National Park. It was SOOO awesome!! We did Pine Creek Canyon which has six repels and is FULL of water. We started out by running into the canyon after eating a sandwich, trial mix and dried apricots and zipping up our full body wetsuits-- which were absolutely essential seeing that the water was like 40 degrees! Brian (the guy I went with) was a park ranger in Zion over the summer, so he knew the park well. . . as a matter of fact, I felt like I was hiking with Steve Kugath. It was the most beautiful day-- it had been rainy and snowy in Provo, but by the time we got to Southern Utah it was bright blue skys and contrasting red rock, and about 75 degrees.

Every repel we did was into a pool of water. There was one part where we were swimming for quite a while through the dark in deep freezing water, with the towering slot canyon walls curving around us and a single ray of light pushing it's way down. The last repel was so interesting. I clipped in first and threw myself over the edge-- and then the whole canyon just opened up. I litterally felt like I was heading down the esophogus and into the belly of the earth (not to mention the pool I was repeling into had a mixture of who knows what that easily conjured up some mental imagery of bile and gastric juices).

We lost a belay device, but found a dead ringtailed squirrel, Brian got stung by a dead scorpian in the water and after a few hours, we were hiking our way back out to the car through the trees, red rock and desert wild flowers. Every minute was supremely superb.

my Biology 101 run

Yesterday I went running along the Provo River trail. When I got to the 1/2 mile marker, a chubby blonde girl and this uber-fit red-t-shirt-guy turned around and started running toward me. They looked at me with fear in their eyes (especially the chubby blonde girl who looked actually quite frantic) and said, "watch out for the crazy racoon!" I heard this shrill noice and looked about 30 feet in front of me on the trail at this psycho-looking racoon. I thought that maybe I could dodge it, seeing that I only had a 1/2 mile to the lake and I really wanted to get there, but everytime I made a move, so did the racoon. Then, it started to run toward me at full speed making that really strange noise. Needless to say, I took off running as fast as I could, looking back every few feet to make sure that the coon hadn't caught up to me. It seemed that everytime I got faster, so did he (not to mention his crazy grin)!! Finally there was a enough distance between us for me to catch my breathe and laugh about the situation. My amusement didn't last long b/c suddenly I felt something wet hit my forehead. Confusing it for a large bug, I automatically hit my head, only to feel a glob of bird-poo. The whole time my joints were stiff and my legs felt like lead with every pound of pavement. Not exactly the peaceful escape I was looking for, but it was certainly one of my more epic runs.

Paradigm Shift

An escape from BYU-life is necessary. I biked to the start of the Provo River trail, past the cows and the horses and the kids catching grasshoppers, and began my run. I only had a few minutes before I had to be at a meeting. . . but it was sufficent. I went rock-climbing yesterday-- it was beautiful!! The sun broke through the clouds just as I was on the top of the rock. It looked almost magenta. When I turned around, the city seemed so small and sandwiched between the beautiful sunset, the vibrant lake and the huge mountains the surrounded me. My 'reality' the hour previous was that I was weak, unable, small and without help. My 'reality' then was empowering and wonderful. I felt that I was not alone at all-- and that all my little worries about school, work and whatever would soon be just sandwiched between divine help, strength and confidence.

time is elusive

So after reading mary's gentle scolding I decided that I had better post.

I don't think I've been so busy in my entire life. The last three days have been NON-stop from 6am to 11 or 12 at night. I have started highlighting my planner and adding extra sheets to remember everything I have to do (granted my "planner" IS a sheet of paper).

So, I know most of you know this b/c you were there, but I want the rest of you to know how cool this past weekend was! I got a chance to go up to the Pocatello Pump rock climbing competition in Idaho. . . pretty much everyone I know was actually IN it (so I don't know that many people) and they rocked it (shout out to Mare who took 2nd and Jo for her power-move up the 5-12). We camped the night before in between the train-tracks and the huge rock slab where they had set up about 75 climbs for the comp. After it was over, we headed over to the park, went slack-lining and ate a bunch of food before I headed back down to Provo.

Since then, every second of my time has been occupied. I am pretty excited because I started my first day at the MTC today! I got the job I wanted as a spanish teacher. They called me in for my 2nd interview on Monday and then yesterday they called and offered me the position-- WOO HOO! I feel such an energy to be able to continue doing missionary work in totally different level! Just talking to the few missionaries there today and encouraging them to make the most of the adventure that awaits them was so thrilling! All the fresh new "Preach My Gospels" and smiling faces that practice, "Yo voy a ensenar una leccion. . . " Nope. There's nothing quite like being back in the MTC.

So, I'm going rock climbing in a few hours (well, actually it's raining and really bad weather, so we'll see) with a friend of a guy in one of my classes that said I would be great for his friend. I talked to him last night (another one of these blind things. . . sick)-- and he grew up IN the Grand Canyon. His dad was in charge of the park and now he's in charge of the one in Hawaii. . .so even if he turns out to be less than dateable, at least it's a sweet connection, no?

Eudaemonia--

Happiness, or the good life. This is Aristole's philosophy regarding the meaning of life and the pursuit of happiness. 'A central principle of the good life is the golden mean, or moderation; overindulgence hinders the attainment of the good life.' According to this philosophy, it is possible to overindulge (or have our life become dilluted) in our passions-- working, skiing, TV-watching etc. The execptions Aristole said are the following: gaining wisdom and understanding ('limitless goods' as he called them). The crowning virtue of the good life is leisure-- but not refering to napping or idleness. Ethical leisure is spent in activities by which human beings learn intellectual virtues.

And the good life it is. Yesterday I rode my bike to grandma and grandpa's. It was so wonderful to be with someone who wasn't 20something. Kids, old people and ethinicity are so rare in my little sphere of contact, that the momentary change was welcomed. They gave me a 20pound bag of wheat and I spent the evening grinding some of it. Then I finished making hummus. This morning I have been reaping the rewards of well-spent leisure time-- eating blueberries&cracked wheat for breakfast, and green pepper and hummus for lunch (well. . . my snack). NowI'm in the library struggling to gain wisdom and understanding. The life truly is good.

One tenth of Mexico lives in the U.S.

A vezes tengo antojo por algo especial. Ayer, encontre una tienda mexicana que se vende tortillas de mano por 99 centavos. Ahora, la unica cosa que quiero es no ser una extranjera hasta en mi propia pias. Me entiendes? Fui a mi clase de cultura y historia de latin America-- aun mi texto es en espanol! La lectura, el profesor-- todo! Que emocion!

I am not an "Angie"

I have to admit something. I really miss trying to save the world. . . and I'm not kidding. I felt that same rush of peace and joy pass over me yesterday. That same desire to live righteously and save the world that I had felt time after time on my mission. Last night Elder Eyring said in his sincere manner that he did not want us to be "decieved or overcome" in these last days-- and that the only safeguard against deception and being overcome is by staying close to the Holy Ghost. He said that the Holy Ghost is felt when we are serving others and magnifying our callings -- that it purifies our desires and makes us want to be more obedient and kind. That is pure truth and I felt it as he talked. His talk passed right through my ears, stayed in my throat for a bit and eventually made it's way throughout my entire self. That is really all I want. . . for all of us to stay close to the Holy Spirit and to make it.

The bishop called me last night and put me in charge of FHE for the entire ward. So basically I'm in charge of planning a ward activity alone on a $30 budget in 6 hours with no car. At least my bike has that sweet collapse-able basket on the side.

I am so sick of french toast. I have eaten it for the last three meals in a row.

I am taking 17 credits. All I know is that I know nothing. Socrates knew what was up.

I am volunteering at the prision-- teaching them computer skills so that they can get their GED

I am waiting for a letter that better come today.

I am in love with my 'North Star la Luna' bike.

I have a toe that looks like a dried blueberry.

GO cougars??!

My teacher for News Writing looks just like Jeneane Garafalo (the girl with thick black hair and bangs and really red lipstick from 'Reality Bites') and her energy for Journalism is incredible. It's strange b/c I usually dred the assignments in classes, but I can't wait for our mock press conferences and one hour article deadlines. And I'm taking Research and Eval with Bro Tanaguchi, who is the first professor in the RMYL program que me cae bien (falls well with me). I am almost done with the program!!!

I feel like I've been just hitting these little obstacles again and again. Nobody here wants me to succeed! I went to the Spanish office yesterday and they immediately told me that I'd need to be in 206 spanish instead of 321 b/c I served state-side. Insisting that LA was not exactly "state-side" they told me to take the placement test which I passed in 16 minutes and placed me in 321 with the rest of the RMs from south of the border. I feel like I constantly have to prove myself. . . a bit of an ego crusher, actually and so I'm feeling quite humbled.

Had a mini-mission reunion last night. Ran into a few of the Elders on campus and then that night we all got together (including two of my comps) and I planned for all of us to hike timp on saturday at 5:00am. At least now I won't have to ride my bike to the base.

Cambios

SO, I'm back in Provo. It's been non-stop "What's your name? Oh really? So where are you from? And you served where?" I must have met like 300 people in the last two days. Cherise (my comp from the MTC who I'm living with) still isn't here, but I think I'm going over to apt 9 to fix up my i-pod and then bike to DI to get a fitted sheet (I know, that's disgusting) and hangers.

IDAHO was so nice. It felt good to be out of cars, money and material and just soak up the 'emptiness' of it all. I think I felt more at home in Idaho than anywhere else I've been since I've been home. The crisp air, the smell of dust, the huge Cottonwoods and firs, the smell of smoke from the campfire. . . I feel like I belong there. I fit there. Here in Provo, I feel like I'm playing a part. I have been asking everyone if they like hiking or know anyone who does, but they all seem like "movie people." I prayed about it though, and I'm confident I'll find someone who will camp with me on a tuesday and ride down in the am for class.

signed: bikeless and multing