Tuesday, August 30, 2011

What happened this summer.

Thoughts
School began last week. Monday. Drove back from West Yellowstone that morning. Good gravy the summer flew by. Just as always, I was devastated to leave. Happy to kiss goodbye 80 hour work weeks but so sad to say farewell to so many people I care about. Onto the next.

Work
Work was good. Day shifts in the Saloon. Lots of encounters with locals during this day shift. Just loved the clientele, wearing whatever I wanted that day, and eating lots and lots and lots of pizza. Night shift at the Bar N Ranch was rather nice as well. My first experience waitressing in a fine dining environment. It was nice to work at a place where the food at the restaurant was truly the priority. The restaurant I served at was gorgeous. Brand spanking new cabin-esque building decorated with all sorts of taxidermied animals (think Cabellas). Commuting to Utah a few times a month also was also a large part of the summer. Pulling into Logan at 3 a.m. (or later) became normal, and orientation at USU was a blast- i especially enjoyed getting to know the others on the orientation staff. Did not especially enjoying the 6 a.m. wake up after 2 or 3 hours of sleep.

Free Time
Hiking, swimming at Hebgen Lake, kayaking, canoeing, rafting, boating, cruising through the park, biking, you name it. Managed to also take a few moments at the Three Bear outdoor pool. Does it pay to have connections? It does.

Personas
Lots of visitors from back home. Absolutely loved this. Why is it- that we can see someone back home or where we've met them, and it's nothing special. But the minute we cross paths in a different location or setting it's the happiest thing on earth? I do not know. But the phenomenon I just described was a recurring event this summer. Friends and family constantly saying hello or meeting up with me. It was great. Also had the opportunity to meet many many people. Tourists- the absolute bulk of my interactions. Co-workers and locals occupied most of my spare time. Became extremely close with many and found much satisfaction through good conversation, various outings, etc. The only bad thing about this remains a constant- goodbye is always just around the corner. Bleh.

This summer as compared to others
 The best. More difficult in some ways but overall a top notch summer. Excellent living accommodations with one of my closest friends, an appreciation better than previous summers for the gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous outdoors, a full summer to utilize the cruiser, more familiar faces, less early morning shifts, a fresh fruit stand on the corner, and many many a good times.


And the random assortment of photos that I had to throw in there.

Our friends/co-workers were wed this summer. Melissa and I decided to join in the festivities.

This is the view from the restaurant I worked at.

This is a photo of my thumb after I decided to cut the better half of the top off (slicing limes).

I LOVE Island Park. Dear friend Joseph and I canoed down this beauty not too long ago.

Spending just enough time to get that Vitamin D. Ahem.

I missed Jack. Mosely was my step-puppy for the summer.

Meleesa.

Brett and Diane's fam. We met up for church and dinner at Old Faithful.

Harold and Kaari's fam. Enjoying breakfast at Bar N Ranch. (Delicious)

Trying to look somewhat conscious at orientation.

I. Love. Hebgen.

Gearing up for my 2nd attempt at wakeboarding.

Cal is amazing. This was my attempt at photographing one of his many tricks.

Learning that I could get up and stay up for longer than .5 seconds. Success!

Melissa- picking it up like it's nothing. Her athleticism- impeccable.

Awwwwwwwwwwww.

Drying off in the sun. Before Parker decided to push me in the water (again).

Saying farewell to Bean, my favorite local.

Sunrise off Denny Creek Road. Until next time, Montana.

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Friday, July 8, 2011

Jacob, my brother.

I love this gem found via photobooth. 
Filmed about two years ago. 

Thursday, June 30, 2011

Electric Light Orchestra

I have a new favorite band.
The ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA.
Also known as ELO.
Fantastic music.
Album favorites:
Evil Woman
All Over the World
Don't Bring Me Down
Turn To Stone (Looove the violin in this one)
Livin' Thing (This one is fun for the summer time)
Telephone Line (This one kind of makes me sad but I love the vocals in it)

A lot of favorites right?
It is a GREAT album.
And that, my friends, is what happens when you walk into Barnes and Noble,
With every intention of purchasing a gift for someone else.
Cheers.

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Bear Lake, Birthday, and Such

Have I mentioned yet that I am working here and there in Logan this summer? It's great. I'm part of the orientation team for USU. Each month I come down from Montana a few times and join 40 others in educating incoming freshman on USU policies, procedures, blah, blah, blah. But really it has been a great time. Last week we took a three day retreat to Bear Lake. Huzzah.


The peeps at the lake were super sweet and snuck in a cake for my twenty first birthday. Everyone made it a fun and memorable day for me. I also took a few hours the day before to hang out with the family down at the home forter. Mother, of course, made a delicccious "Brookie Cookie" and strawberry cake in honor of my birth. We also celebrated by eating out at Red Iguana in Salt Lake and having some random friends over for dessert. People were extremely thoughtful all day sending texts, facebook messages, cards, making phone calls, you name it.

Bear Lake was gorgeous. After an overload of social-ness I took a sever of time for myself one morning and attempted capturing a bit of the beautiful scenery surrounding us.




And driving back to West. The sunset- UN. BE. LIEVABLE. But honestly this photo doesn't even come close. I caught myself pulling over and snapping photos three or four times. Beautiful.


Sunday, May 22, 2011

Yellowstone: Back in the Saddle

Back in West Yellowstone for my third summer. It love it here more each time.
Grant, Melissa, Melissa, and I spent an evening in the park.
This is Grant. He is a local.
Enjoying the view from Canyon.


Best part of this photo- Melissa and Melissa prancing in the background.
Still waiting for the snow to melt up in these parts.
Yellowstone Lake.
Laughter.
Getting some ice cream from the Old Faithful Inn. Cheers.

Friday, May 6, 2011

This was a good semester.

It snowed a lot. I like the snow. Isn't it pretty?
I cooked more of my mother's recipes.
Did I ever walk up this sucker? Every day.
Spring Break in Mexico. Huzzah.
The Blue Cottage. My humble abode for the semester. Moving out tomorrow.
School. Friends. Good grades (hopefully).
Japan relief efforts.
Good drives, good conversations, good company.
New eats. New thoughts. I love diners.
Reuniting with Diana (galpal from Europa).

The semester flew. FLEW. "Busy busy."
Mormon convention with cousin Ty.
Worst of the worst this semester: my bedroom's buzzing fluorescent light. Ick.
My best friend in the whole world weds her high school sweetheart, Braden.
Spring. Finally. Enjoyed the outdoors to their fullest this week.
Breakfast at the Original Pancake house with the female friendlies.

Instructing Nattles on how to reunite with I-15.

Followers