Back to Life Back to Reality

This is to show how i have felt for the past two weeks!!

The Past two years have been unreal. I have not had to deal with the daily stresses of normal life like bills and school. It has been kinda nice actually. Yes, I was excited to get back into the swing of things and have a regular schedule but it has been a little overwhelming. As a missionary I only lived on $127 a month. That would be impossible in my life now. So, now i have cell phone bills, college bills, and soon to be car bills. That alone is enough to stress me out especially since i live in Idaho where people do not get paid well. I was spoiled living in Virginia where i made lots of money and I could just save it. I didn't have to pay for anything except the Metro to and from work and to buy clothes. I am so grateful my aunt was able to do that for me so I could have some money to get on my feet. I would be in a lot of trouble right now without it. Then there is school. After two years of not going to school it can stress a person out. I felt really dumb my first day of school. Now, that it has been two weeks I feel a little better. In fact I just got done taking my first math test and I feel like I did pretty well, I at least felt like I knew how to answer every question. Well, the greatest part of it all is taking Institute. Among these past two weeks and feeling a lot stressed out I have had the opportunity to take The New Testament class. We have been talking about the Sermon on the Mount and it has been very insightful for me. I, by taking institute, have realized that why i am so stressed out is I am not putting my priorities in the right place. Sometimes i am forgetting to read my scriptures or say my morning prayers. Doing these things make a huge difference in the way i feel especially my stress level. So, it has been good for the weekly reminders in Institute amongst the times of being in the World so to speak. But, I am so grateful for the gospel and how it helps me in all aspects of my life. Really, when I look at the grand scheme of things i realize I just need to chillax.

This was the Life..this is the Stake President's Cabin I stayed at two nights before I left Virginia it was so amazing, I love this place.
Me and Hannah drinking some hot chocolate after swimming in the lake!

Me and Lizzie Waiting for the Tube Ride!

Having a Good Time getting air on the Tube!

Our Backward Triathlete Weekend

Entering the City you have to go in the Lincoln Tunnel which is underwater, it is pretty crazy and pretty Scary when you really think about, we were glad there was no traffic and we weren't under there for long!!

We didn't make it to the Statue of Liberty so we got to take a picture by a fake one!! Hey,I think it's just as good!

The New York City Skyline from the Car!

Me,Hannah, and Mary Lynne right before leaving!

Me and Brandon right in the middle of all the Craziness in Time Square

Outside of the Toy Store taking our turn at watch...

The New York City Library something I had never seen before but it was actually really neat and beautiful inside!

My aunt is training for a triathlon that she is doing in September. Now training takes a lot of discipline and keeps you always on your toes.  She has inspired me to also train for one, it just wont be in September.  So, we have done our swimming, biking, and running. I am still working on getting in shape after my 1.5 year break from real exercise.  Since we have talked about this our last weekend could be compared to running a triathlon. Three quick events and all in the name of fun.

First Part of the Backwards Triathlete: Running through New York City

We on Thursday on a whim decided to head to New York City so I could experience the city again. I have been there before but it's always fun and exciting to see the city that is in every movie.  We left about 6:30 a.m. to make the 3.5 hour drive to the city.  We arrived and like always the city was crazy busy. This was my first time going with kids and it was a little nerve wracking. I was always wondering and accounting for each child.  As we crossed the streets sometimes they would be oblivious to the yellow taxi speedily coming their way.  Luckily we made it through the day all safe and sound(what a relief!!) We mostly just "Ran" through the city looking at all the different buildings and famous churches, time square, and of course the apple store and the Toy stores.  We tried to make it to the top of the Empire State Building but the line was an hour long.  I mostly love going to the city to see all the people. Granted, I would never want to live here because of that same reason.  I find it so interesting the different lives people lead. Just like in DC I often look at people and I wonder what their lives consist of what they value, what do they do for fun, what kind of house do they live in, what kind of car do they drive, do they have kids.  Call me crazy but people just fascinate me.  I think going to the city and taking the metro into DC everyday has gotten me adjusted to City life more because New York didn't seem quite as overwhelming as it has in the past.  My Heart goes out to the countless numbers of children and teenagers who are raised in the city. I can't imagine my childhood without trees, grass, and open space.  I am grateful for the carefree childhood I had and that my parents could rest easy knowing we were safely playing in the back yard.  It was a great and fast day and the kids did awesome with all the walking we did.  After the day the kids were tired, I was tired, and our legs were tired!

Me in my office where I spent many hours on the Computer

Me and Deanna one of the Secretaries 

Rosa and me, The best Boss Ever

Deanna another one, and me 

Me and Anita, the security Guard for our building, she was the biggest sweetheart and a fun person to be around!

Part Two of The Backwards Triathlete is the Biking:

Ok, I compare Friday to The biking because it is in my middle of the craziness.  The Bike is also the more relaxed because it doesn't seem to require much effort, but it still is working you out.  That is how my Friday was, it was my last day of work and it was really low key.  I have had a great summer working at a law firm in downtown DC.  I have loved being in the city and looking out my window and seeing people walking around.  The firm I have been working for are so nice and have treated me soooo well.  I have been so blessed to have such a good job in such an awesome place.  They took me to lunch and then told me to go home to get things in order to leave.  I knew I wouldn't be there that long so instead of bringing my flip flops in my big bag like usual I decided I wouldn't need them.  So, I was wearing my high heels all day....not a good idea. I have many blisters now from not thinking like a smart person. I give props to all those professional people who can make wearing high heels all day look easy and unpainful.  Then, I got home and we went swimming and I tried to swim the mile as fast as I could.  I think the Olympics have inspired me to be a better swimmer.  Then, we ended the day with a big sweet 16 birthday party for Molly with lots of teenagers running around and screaming.  It was a race to the end for survival to the end of the day.  Overall it was a great day but it was definitley busy!!