Returning to my Roots

After a week and a half hiatus I am back in full swing (cue applause). I have recovered from my bronchitis, survived another spectacular week of EFY, and returned to the Bay Area for a walk down memory lane.

I love California. After living in Utah for give-or-take 6 years, I have almost forgotten why California (particularly the Bay Area) is such a unique place.

I love NorCal because...

1. People are so down-to-earth. They are not obsessed with having perfect hair and perfect style. Their laid-back nature is a breath of fresh air!
2. The layout. Yes, the grid system in Utah makes finding things so much easier. However I love how the city, the town, and the trees intertwine.
3. The homes are not cookie cutter suburbia. They are gorgeous and so unique. Tracting could actually be enjoyable in P-town (only because the homes are so beautiful)!
4. The hills that overlook the city (San Fran). You can always find a beautiful view of SF.
5. The Oakland Temple. Holy smokes it's breathtaking!
6. The Oakland First Ward. Wow, if I want to feel better about myself, just attend the First Ward. I've never gotten an applause at church until this past Sunday. I felt so popular.
7. My friend Katie, her stud of a husband Josh, and cute no crying baby, Zack. I had so much fun staying with them and reminiscing with Katie about high school memories, church memories, and friend memories. I've known her since birth and she has always been an amazing friend to me. Love you Katie!
8. Cool restaurants like Fentons and Barneys. These places were the hang out spots as teenagers. Never have I had better curly fries and shakes. Dang Gina.
9. My good friends from high school. Funny that I say that because I always struggled with finding friends in high school. But 6 years later they still laugh at my corny jokes and remember how important the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is in my life.
10. For the unique and fantastic adults that influenced me. This includes all the First Ward people and my voice teacher, Amy, my A'Cappella teacher Joe, and even Lenny...The basketball coach since 3rd grade who I helped with basketball camps. Lenny always told me to stop playing basketball on the ground.
11. My family. I got to visit with my Aunt Sally and Uncle Don and cousin Todd. It was good to see them and catch up! And Aunt Sally is going to make me another silky blanket. Yes.

I know you all like pictures, so here are some to engage your eye. It was so good to go back!

Me and my former voice teacher Amy. She was not only my voice teacher, but my teenage therapist! She helped me so much to gain confidence during that awkward time and I loved singing.

Noah's Bagel. We always went there during lunch and they have some of the best bagels! My bagel obsession began with Noah's.

I barely caught the sign as we drove by. Juice Appeal was there before Jamba Juice and it's amazing! In 7th grade I had to create my own city and my city was all based off of Juice Appeal and its flavors. So creative.

We stopped by Montclair park where my mom used to take me while all the other kids were in school. I loved this horse drawn carriage.

Remember this?

I loved climbing in this old fashioned playground. Maybe it sparked my interest in Westerns and subsequently in history.

My old house! It looks thrashed and it makes me so sad to even look at it but I had to take a picture.

Highland Ave and Oakland Ave. I used to stop at this light on the way to school.


Hampton Field. My dad taught me how to catch a ball in a mitt at this field.


A view of the bay from the top of Piedmont. It looks smoggy. Are we surprised though? It's the freakin' bay area.


Katie's old house. It had major problems with the structure so no one lives there now. We got to go inside and take a tour.


Katie in her old room with little Zack.


Here's the babe! Adorable kid.

Me at Bear Park!
Of course Bear Park wouldn't be the same without this sign. Piedmonters can be a little intense.

And of course they have doggie bags. Seriously, Piedmont is a very accomodating place!

We reminisced as we walked down the halls of Piedmont High. I then saw Joe and Lenny while we walked by the gym! Random.

I think this is called the Exedra (sp?). The famous landmark of Piedmont. Right behind it is Piedmont Park.Then we visited the Criddles in this historic home. This home was built in 1897 or something crazy like that. We missed seeing you in it, Joanna!

I met up with a few of the High School peeps for some yummy goodness at Barneys. Just disregard the chick in the background. :)

Jenny P and I. She told me that she remembered this time that I bet her to not swear for a period of time. Instead of saying bad words I told her to substitute them with others and she still uses the substitute words! Glad I could rub off on ya! Haha.

I took this for you mommy. This was one of the libraries my mom went to all the time. She used to bribe me with frozen yogurt if I got a few books from this library.


Katie and I went to the temple. However, her temple recommend was expired! So sad. But I still went and she waited. We got to chat on the top of the temple and it was a beautiful site!

Here we are again. I love the temple.

And I love California. Until the next time...

Bronchitis Blows

After returning from a full week of festivities, my body told me that I needed a full week to rest. How did my body tell me this? Oh, well it gave me a wonderful gift, bronchitis.

I never get sick and so this was quite the rude awakening. I can imagine that no one likes being sick but I do NOT bode well with sickness. Ask my mom.

I am almost out of tissue...and yes, my snot is in each of those tissues. Aren't you so glad I told you that?
And since I despise nasty nasty cough drops I get the fruity Ricola kind. If I'm going to put one of those in my mouth, it better taste like candy.

Blessedly Diane hung out with me on Wednesday. I was so bored and not contagious anymore. We decided to watch old classic movies. Well, who decided that all of these old classic movies have to end with the guy dying or the girl running off with some other dude? Ridiculous. I want my happy endings please.

I think my blanket is contaminated with sneezing germs. And that jug? Well, lets just say it has been my best friend lately. I didn't get dressed or get ready for 3 days. I know, I look gorgeous.

Here's to healthier days ahead!

I love these chicas

Marcee, Shauna, Susie, and Katie

Formerly Sister Minster, Sister Seely, Sister Baer, and Sister Barrus.


Have I mentioned lately that I am so glad I served a mission? Well I am.

The Hotness Within

This last week was my first ever week as an EFY counselor. EFY (Especially for Youth) is a camp for LDS youth. It's spiritually uplifting and tons of fun. Not only do the youth attend classes about the Gospel of Jesus Christ (see www.mormon.org), they also participate in cheers, games, dances, service projects, and sports. I got to be in charge of these youth, teach them the Gospel, dance with them, help them win their games, and be a friend. I loved it.

Yes, it was absolutely exhausting but totally worth it! I felt like I served a 5 day mission. The girls in my group were between 16-18. They often remarked how the guys were "sooooo hot." I used that term a lot at that age and occasionally do now. However, I reminded them that it's the "hotness within" that counts the most. They laughed. And it kind of became the theme of the week...developing the hotness within.

What a great week though! Let me share some of the good times I had. (This is why I have been so negligent of my blog).

Here I am with my nephew and niece who also attended EFY the same week. So cute.


The girls pretended to worship me. I gently reminded them to not worship idols, but to only worship God and Jesus Christ. They got a kick out of it but still did it anyways. I basked in my one minute of glory...Then quickly repented.


Here they are making up their cheer for the cheer off that night.


Here are a few of my lovely girls...


Getting pumped up for the cheer off. I lost my voice this week because I played cheer leader so much!

Our group banner. Our group was called "After this Manner"...which is found in Moroni 7-17. It was a cool banner.

And here is their cheer! We didn't win anything, but they had fun with it. I especially like the boys' sound effects! Enjoy.



Here we are being silly. What I do best.


Me and a few of the girls at Thursday morning's devotional.


The guys trying to look cool with their "big" muscles. Whatevs.


Some of the boys stole my camera and this is what transpired...

And this...

The girls and I. One of the boys said that there was a spider and we all freaked out. Some for reals and others for show.

All 36 of us posed "After this Manner"


My co-counselors and I. Adam, Kristopher and Tricia.


Tricia and I. She is so awesome and moving to NYC so I think I will be seeing her when I head to DC.
Beautiful girls. A Mormon man's haven.


Never have so many men demanded my attention. Too bad they're all 16...


What a fantastic 5 days. Not only were the youth strengthened, but I was too. God bless EFY.

I was never meant to be a camper

...But I sure try! I went camping with my old roommates and old ward members over a week ago up in Provo Canyon. It was definitely a fun experience but sleeping out in the open on a hard rock has never been my cup of hot chocolate. Sure, you can call me a whimp.

Here are the highlights:

Eating homemade salsa...mmmm



















Ricks can play the guitar



















Satyra tried














I tried even harder and failed...I even failed at looking cool in this picture.














Sam and I. She's cool.














Satrya and Emma with powdered sugar before gulping it and breathing it into the fire; not my idea but supposedly it's a camper's trick. Satrya looks like a creeper. haha.



















Breathing powdered sugar into the fire.



















Adrienne looks like an Asian tourist, except for the powdered sugar part.



















Future profile picture? I look hot, don't I? I don't think I can do anything without making a mess.



















The fire that burned to keep us alive. Dramatic aren't I?



















That's a smore in my mouth.














Luckily I had smores and powdered sugar to keep me entertained enough so that sleeping on a rock was survivable for one night.

Happy Camping!