Jackson Hole Adventure...with the Seattle People

So, some people I met on the Singles Cruise came to SLC for a friend's wedding. I caught up with them while they were here and due to my excessive coolness they invited me to go with them to Wyoming. True story. Naturally, not being one to withhold my coolness from others, I accepted. This was a fantastic adventure. I ended up offering my car to drive because the other option was a Mini....yeah not the safest choice. I was amazed at how well my car handled going uphill in uncut snow. Yeayhoo, go Beemer!!!
While in Wyoming we went to the World Champion Hill Climb for snowmobilers. So cool! We had to take a chair lift up to the top of this mountain and then climb part of the way down to see the competition. It was awesome....and a little scary. There were several snowmobiles that lost control and flew into the audience. At one point they couldn't stop a specific snowmobile and it started rolling, or should I say flipping, down the mountain through the crowd. It was intense. I remember people yelling run and then thinking," um....which way?". We ended up lunging for the trees and eventually they stopped the sled without anyone being injured. GOOD TIMES!!!! After the competition we had to slide down the mountain on our butts to get to the bottom. This was probably the best part of the entire event.
Ahhhhh, the memories.

Death by Snowboarding

Back in the first of December my dear friend Jenni finally convinced me to try snowboarding. Ah, what an experience. I will have to admit that in the beginning of the mountain I was having fun. I did fall a lot.....as a matter of fact, I didn't even bother counting, but I am pretty sure I spent most of my time on my butt. Thankfully our friend Abby, who is a skier, helped pick me up every time. I am pretty sure that if it wasn't for her I would still be on that mountain today... Any way, for those of you thinking of snowboarding, I recommend going with good friends that will not abandon you half way down the mountain. Also, schedule yourself for a massage the next day because I guarantee that you will not be able to move. ;-)

25 and Alive!

It was my 25th birthday.....it had great potential to be depressing...but was a great birthday instead. I didn't even find any gray hairs or new wrinkles ;-) In the evening my good friends and brother went with me to the Spaghetti Factory to celebrate. They even brought me a cake!!!! It was fantastic. I love you guys!!!! I also received the best gift ever...twice. Amber and Stefani both gave me Harry Potter scene it. They ROCK!! All in all, pretty darn good day.

When in Rome.......

After Romania we had the opportunity to hop on over to Rome for 4 days. What a treat! I LOVE Italy. It was so fun and cram-pact. The first day we pretty much did all of Rome except the Vatican. It was a long and exciting day. We saw the Coliseum, Palitine Hill, Roman Forum, Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, Campo Di Fiori, Michelangelo's Square, and a bunch more. Our feet were really tired at the end of it. The next day was spent at the Vatican. Words cannot express the shear pleasure I felt when I saw the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel. It was a little like a dream come true being able to see these great works I have learned about my entire life. They were breathtaking! St Peters Square was massive and St Peters Basilica very impressive. Although, I must admit that, even though beautiful, St Peters Basilica was a disappointment. It was adorned with large statues of Popes. As a matter of fact, they had a preserved pope in a glass coffin........Here is the kicker, In the entire Basilica there was only ONE statue of Christ. Albeit an amazingly beautiful one by Michelangelo but only one. It made me question who they really worshiped. At the end of the day we walked the streets of Rome at sunset. On the third day we visited the Borghese Gallery. This was probably my favorite part of Rome. Why you may ask....for 4 very good reasons. The four statues of Bernini. He is a master! They were exquisite. They held so much raw passion and emotion that they spoke to you. And to think, he did these impressive works when he was 21 yrs old. I mean, just amazing. What a great trip!

Tearful Goodbyes

After three long, and sometimes frustrating weeks, we said goodbye to all our little children. Saying goodbye didn't seem real. I felt as though my professional self had taken control. However, I was sorely mistaken. As we drove away from Barlad towards the Capital of Bucharest, we passed through Tutova. I could vividly remember the excitement of the first night we arrived. Mihaela, our team leader, and told us all that if we hurried we could get a glimpse of the clinic. We all pressed our noses against the pitch black windows and searched for what was going to be our home for the next three weeks. The exuberance of finally arriving to do what we set out to do was tangible; it was electric. Now as we drove away, down that oh so familiar road, all my walls and coping mechanisms came crashing down. I was actually leaving. I would never see these children again. I would never hold them or comfort them. My tears came then; silently. It was so hard to have hope in that country where there is still so much corruption. My experiences in this country were definitely eye opening. My gratitude for the things I have has multiplied greatly. My love for others has expanded. I feel as though I have a better understanding of some things there.....and yet, I leave with so many more questions. There are still things in this world that I may never be able to fully comprehend, but for now I will have to settle for what I do.

*Pictures compliments of Tamera

The Painted Monasteries

While in Romania, at the end of a long and emotionally draining week, we would get the opportunity to take weekend excursions to various touristy areas. On the second to last weekend there, we went to the Moldavia area and visited some of the Painted Monasteries. They were absolutely incredible. It was a truly spiritual experience being able to walk on the grounds and see these vivid paintings depicting the life and teachings of Christ. How wonderful it is to be able to have a few common facts among different religions.

There was one particular monastery, the Varonet Monastery, that moved me. It was commisioned in 1488 and finished in 1547. It is a masterpiece. The western wall is completely covered in a fresco depicting the Last Judgment. They use a very rare blue stone for the blue paint. At the same time this fresco was being done at this monastery, the Last Judgment in the Sistine Chapel was being completed my Michelangelo. He also used the same rare stone crushed for his blue paint. These works of art are unbelievable! Words and even pictures do not do them justice.

Family Photo

While visiting Bran Castle we were asked to pose by this door.......doesn't it look like a cheesey family photo? Ah good times!