Losing a Friend

It is strange to see someone your own age pass away. This year I have now lost two people who I have known for over 12 years. Heather Hill passed away earlier this year and the circumstances are very unclear as to what happened. But I wanted to take a moment and honor her life. I have known Heather since I moved to Utah back in '94, we went through all the classes together till the end of high school,I saw her at my ten year class reunion however, I can't claim to have been a best friend, nor was I that close to her, but her and I had a few moments that changed my life for the better. I watched her stand up for those who weren't able to stand up for themselves. She always seemed to have a smile on her face, and a positive attitude. I remember going to girls camp with her and I remember her Testimony of God ringing true. I also remember how tough it seemed when she lost her father. I will always remember her as a woman who took courage and who was quick to smile and offer a hand to those who needed it most. Jeremy Sun also lost his life this year and I want to take a moment and honor his life. He and I met for the first time in a debate class in high school. And after that, he would be in my life till his slipped away. He and my best friend Crystal would date and eventually get married to which I was a bridesmaid. They soon moved to Dallas Texas had a son, NASA Jeremy and a daughter Kai Capri. I had the opportunity of visiting with them there right after I returned from my mission in San Antonio. They then moved back to Cedar City and Jeremy and I went to University and ended up graduating the same Year. In that time, Crystal and Jeremy knew they were one different paths and they separated ways, and Jeremy married again a year later to a woman named Rebecca. The thing I remember about Jeremy is that he loved his kids and he always made sure they were taken care of. I remember him as being a fun guy who was easy to laugh and liked to really listen to other people's stories. I also remember that he and I both have a passion for nice cars and on more than one occasion driving in them, that is where I grew to love BMW's, though the Hummer and the Mercedes come in close second. I thought I would have a chance to say my goodbyes before he left, but his time was just too quick. It really makes me want to never take for granted the time God has given me to be with those around me who I care for the most. May God be with both Heather and Jeremy. May you Rest in Peace.

Happy New Year!

Life tends to get busy, and the first thing that goes out the window is blogging. And I have neglected it terribly. However in my defense, I would not trade a single moment of my time spent with family, friends and loved ones for a moment. I may not have been able to travel as much this past season as I would have liked, but I have gotten to spend time with those who are most dear to me. I did get to do a little bit of traveling though, which is always a highlight for me. I went to New York Twice this winter and watched the lights dazzle, I saw the Rockefeller Center, times square, Central park. For a weekend get away, New York is becoming a favorite. Then for Christmas as far as Christmas Traditions go, this one is one of my favorites, going to Salt Lake to watch the Nut Cracker, shop at Thanksgiving point, and on Sunday watch the Christmas Spoken word with the special Guests, this year was just as spectacular as the ones in the past. And finally I took a quick trip again to Salt Lake just before the New Year to wish one of my favorite Roommates, Melanie, a Congratulations, I was so happy to make it to her reception and am so Excited for her and her new husband to start their new life together.

Tuscon AZ

This past trip was a business trip so I am unable to post any pictures. But it was a wonderful trip! I got to see how airplanes are fixed, I was able to see what happens to a plane when it runs out of time, and goes to a "grave yard." It reminded me of retiring a flag. It was an amazing thing to see. I got to see the inside of the CRJ 200, 700 and 900 planes. I was able to see what a plane looks like without any chairs in it. I was able to see what the structural skeleton of a plane looks like. It was a wonderful two days, spent with some amazing co-workers. I love my job and all the opportunities it affords me.

The Big Apple...New York

Well it Finally is about time that I traveled somewhere Besides California...Don't get me wrong, I love California, but I want to see the World! And What better City than New York!!! It was so much fun, we had quite the Experience, on the planes from mechanical failures, to dogs being on the plane! The City itself was a lot cleaner and less crowed than I thought it was going to be, (maybe they were all at the beach!). Central Park was Beautiful, and Time square was all that I imagined it to be. The weather was perfect. So here are some pictures of my adventures in the Big Apple.

A true wonder

I know it has been a while since I have had any travel posts, but they are coming :)In the mean time, I came across the most interesting Blog the other day, and thought I would share. The Art of Manliness. http://artofmanliness.com/. From why it is important to be punctual to Apps that help in creating the perfect date to cooking with a cast iron. The whole blog was quite informing and very interesting, and a little intriguing.

Birthday Celebration

Working Working Working...I love it, it is great knowing I have a job that helps me achieve my dreams of seeing the world. For my birthday, I went to California and enjoyed some much needed time under the sun, thankful that weekend the June gloom was gone, and it was sunny skies and gorgeous temperatures. It was my Mum and I who went with. We hit up our old stomping grounds of Huntington beach laying out in the sun and then headed over for some boutique shopping at Laguna Beach. I remember as a kid, there was a pottery place called "the old pottery place" and I would save up my pennies to get some really cool pottery. Several years later after my family moved to Utah, we took a family vaca down to Laguna to find that it shut down... I cried that day... Well this trip, though the pottery place wasn't there, they restored it and made other boutique shops so that was nice, and the Statue of old man Laguna is still there!

Later on we went up to Rose Hills Cemetery and I had a very sobering experience, it was quite neat, for the first time in my life, I got to see where my sister Nicole was buried. She had a beautiful head stone, and it was sweet she was buried on Cherub lane, knowing she is an Angel in Heaven makes it so much more. I say this was another successful trip to California!

Transitions

This is a shout out to all my friends who are moving on with their lives, I am hearing about weddings, mission farewells and homecomings, graduations, babies, and such. It is amazing how life transitions from one stage into the next. I can hardly believe that I am where I am. Growing up seems to never end though. Sometimes when I think I have learned all I needed to learn a new lesson is brought up and I am taught something new that I never thought about before. And I do know that the only constant thing in this life is change. Just when I am comfortable in a place, it changes. Well my answer to that is BRING IT! I am excited for those who are transitioning into new phases in their lives, and I am excited to move into the next chapter of mine.