Rappelling in Moab

About a week ago, one of my friends in the accounting program who I also happen to work with asked me if I wanted to go to Moab with a group of people for the weekend and go rappelling off of a 120 foot arch. I already had some plans for Saturday night, and debated whether or not I wanted to go, but in the end, Sarah and I decided this was probably a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. So, my cute mom dropped off some sleeping bags for us on Friday and then we headed out!

We slept the night in Price canyon at a little campground near the top of the mountain. Sarah and I ended up just sleeping in her car and it was much, much colder than I thought the night would be. But it adds to the adventure, right? The next morning we headed to Corona Arch, in Moab, Utah.

At this point, I was asking myself if I really was going to rappel that thing! It was much taller than I thought it was going to be and I'm not scared of heights, but it was still pretty scary to me. We split into two groups and I was in the second group so we just watched everyone in the first group go. I decided that, no matter how scared I was, I knew I would regret it if I didn't do it, so I harnessed up and got ready to go once the first group was done.

We first had to climb up some rock to get over to the arch. It doesn't look to bad, but it was pretty steep and a little scary too!

Up top, it was pretty nerve racking. I kept thinking, "Am I seriously going to do this?!" But yes, I did, and it was so much fun! I would definitely want to do it again.

Funny story though - right before I went, I asked Justin, my pro friend, if my gloves were going to be ok because they were a little big for me. He said I would be fine, so off I went. Well, I shouldn't have asked because about 10 feet from the ground my glove got stuck in the device and I couldn't move up or down. For the next 30 minutes, our group and a bunch of random people helped me try several different things to get myself down. To what could be a very long story, I eventually was able to transfer my weight from the carabiner on my harness to another carabiner. And then I was eventually able to get down. Mind you, this was quite the long process. Lesson learned? Pay attention to my right hand and don't let it get close to the belay device!

Here's the remains of the glove that got stuck.

Funny and embarrassing, but I guess it at least makes for a great story, ya? Here's our whole group at the arch. It was such a perfect day!!

DONE with the Junior Core!

I am happy, so happy, to say that as of 11 days ago, I am officially done with the Accounting Junior Core! Three 7:00 AM finals, and 30+ hours of finals studying later, I finished my last exam on the 18th. And it was one of the greatest moments of my life! This year has been a crazy intense year, and it was so nice to just be done with it all. It's cool to look back at how much material we covered and everything we accomplished. I've made many friends who I hope I will stay friends with for a long time because they are awesome people. And they made the core much more bearable!

All in all, I would have to say that it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be, but I definitely felt pushed and had to learn even more time management. I also think I learned that every assignment doesn't have to be perfect, and that sometimes other things are more important than getting a '10' on a homework submission. Which if you know me and how OCD I am about school, it's quite the accomplishment for me :)

The day after finals, I left with my family to a 4-day defensive handgun training course at a place called Front Sight with my immediate, and some of my extended family. It was different from what I expected but I learned a lot and am glad I went!

Man-on-Man competition with my little brother. He beat me...

Yes, we are weird sometimes (or most of the time), but I love my family!

My Sweet Grandma

My Grandma VanDyke passed away last week after being diagnosed with cancer back in February. It's been quite the roller coaster over the past few months since it was so sudden and unexpected and then with her quick decline. It's been a lesson to me of just how quickly life can take an unexpected turn and that we should never take things for granted. It was also a good reminder that I need to just enjoy every moment I have with those I love because I never know what could suddenly change.

My Grandma was one of the most selfless people I know; she was constantly looking for ways she could help someone out. She was often in the background of events, quietly serving everyone around her. My mom is also someone who stays longer than everyone else helping to clean up. I know as a kid it was frustrating cause we would want to leave but my mom would tell us we needed to help clean up before we could go. It was super annoying as a kid to have to stay after friends and cousins already left, but I've grown to appreciate that lesson I've learned, and I know my mom learned it from her mom. Unfortunately for my children, I am the same way, but hopefully they'll one day come to appreciate or at least tolerate it :)

My Grandma also taught me how to clean well and to work hard. Amber and I were lucky enough to have the opportunity to spend a few weeks in the summer several years ago with Grandma and Grandpa while we worked at a lodge. It was there that I learned many valuable lessons from my grandparents and just enjoyed the time with them even though we did get annoyed at times :) Grandma was the queen of making do with what she had and was an excellent quilter and sewer. Her birthday cards and Christmas were always so thoughtful, and while they were never anything big, I know that they were made with so much love. I will miss her but am glad she is no longer in pain. I am also so very grateful for the Gospel and the knowledge it brings that I will get to see her again someday. Love you Grandma!!

Conference Weekend

This is one of my favorite weekends of the year! I came home after work on Friday, made cinnamon rolls, and watched a movie with my dad and brother. Then on Saturday, I enjoyed the first session and went on a 7.5 mile run. I injured my knee a few months ago and have slowly been trying to build back up and yesterday's run was pretty pain free so I was really excited about that! Although I was quickly reminded that I like taking water with me if I ever go on a long run when it's hot outside. Let's just say it was warmer outside than I thought it was and I was dying for water by the time I got home! It was still a great run though :)

And then we watched the second session of conference and got to see ELISE in the MTC choir!!! She looked so good and so happy. And mostly it was just fun to see my bestie one more time even if she didn't get to see me! After another great session, I cleaned my car (it was in dire need of a vacuum job), and went and hung out with the little sisters for a little bit before the boys got home, and then we hung out with them. It's been so nice to just get to relax and enjoy time with family. I am also very grateful that we get to hear from our living Prophet and apostles twice a year! We are so blessed!

So Excited!!!

Tonight was a great, great night. 

Tonight, I got to help one of my very best friends get engaged!!! 

To one of my new good friends. 

And I could not be more excited for them!

SOOOO very happy for you Taryn and CJ!!!!!! 

I love you both so much and cannot wait till August!!

Eleven Things

My cute friend Nicole tagged me in a post for a game so here goes! P.S. you should check out her blog, her and her fiance have had a crazy long engagement but are absolutely adorable!

The rules for this game are:

1. Post these rules.

2. Post a photo of yourself and 11 random things.

3. Answer the questions set for you in the original post.

4. Create 11 new questions and tag people to answer them.

5. Go to their blog/twitter and tell them you've tagged them.

11 Random Things:

1) I just got back from an interview in San Francisco with PwC for their Summer Leadership Program (2-day conference over the summer)

2) I changed my hair part a couple weeks 

3) I like to cook when/if I ever have spare time

4) My sister is pregnant!! So excited to be an aunt!

5) I apply for my master's program in a few weeks - weird!

6) I don't really like to go shopping with people and if I do, I only like going with one or two people. I do love going with my sister though. 

7) I am hoping to run three half marathons this summer

8) One of my best friends got home from his mission today!

9) I'm going to the Hunger Games midnight showing tomorrow and am so excited!

10) One of my pet peeves is when the toilet paper is put on the things so it rolls from the bottom, not the top

11) My favorite number is 11!

Questions from Nicole:

1) What is your favorite book? I am a bit Harry Potter fan. Always have been and always will! My favorite book is the 7th.

2) What do you do with your free time? Running, cooking, reading, swimming, and any random fun thing that comes up in the college life

3) What is your favorite restaurant? Cafe Rio. That place has been one of my favorites for a long, long time and I still always get the same think. Pork tostada! They have also probably made a lot of money off me...

4) What is your dream job? I always wanted to be a pediatric nurse or a secretary. Instead, I'm in accounting! Yay me.

5) If you could go skydiving or bungee jumping, which one would you do? Good question! I would probably have to say skydiving. I want to go skydiving but I will admit I am terrified. It's on my bucket list though.

6) Would you rather watch a movie or read a book? Depends on my mood. If it's a choice between watching a movie by myself or reading, then reading. If it's between watching a movie with friends or reading, then watching a movie for sure.

7) Where do you want to travel next? Europe or Hawaii!

8) Would you rather live in the country or the city? City for sure! I love bigger cities! 

9) What color do you usually paint your nails? I haven't painted my nails since my sister's wedding and before that it's been a really long time. I just pick off the nail polish so I don't paint them. If I ever do though, it's usually a neutral color.

10) What is your favorite candy? I mostly just love anything chocolate! Chocolate raisins and Almond Joys are some of my favorites though.

11) If you could pick anywhere in the world to live, where would that be? Hmmm I would love to live in California or somewhere exotic for a little while. Like Europe or Tahiti or someplace random like that.

My 11 questions are:

1) What is your favorite movie?

2) What is your favorite color?

3) If you could go any place in the world, where would you go?

4) To the question above, if you could take anyone with you, who would you take?

5) What is the most exciting thing that you did or that happened to you this past week?

6) What is your favorite food?

7) Mac or PC?

8) Where do you hope you are 5 years from now?

9) What is your least favorite chore?

10) What is your favorite car?

11) What is one thing you couldn't live without?

And I tag -

Jennifer

Cosette

Taryn

Katri

Sydney

Happy Gaming!!

Some Numbers

Since I am an accounting major after all, and I spend lots of my day working with numbers, I thought a little bit of numbers might be appropriate :)

1 day till my interview with Deloitte for their Summer Leadership Program

5 days till I go shopping with my sister - I need some new clothes!

6 days till Ali Peterson's farewell (a dear friend from high school)

7 days till I fly out to San Francisco

8 days till my interview with PwC in San Francisco

10 days till I get to go see the midnight showing of Hunger Games!! And see one of my best friends from high school who's getting back from his mission the day before!

12 days till the Ernst & Young Extreme Event up at Aspen Grove

17 days till the KPMG event up at Sundance

18 days till I interview with KPMG for their Summer Leadership Program

19 days till General Conference!

21 days till the Final 4 party put on by Deloitte up at Sundance

As you can see, recruiting activities for the accounting program are keeping me pretty busy! Luckily round two of midterms were last week and our homework load this week is pretty light. It's nice to relax and breathe a little bit after a such a crazy busy week!