Life quote: number one

"Never take life too seriously."

Oh hey.

It's been quite a while! Here are a few updates since the last time we spoke...
-I work now.
-It is OCTOBER! My favorite month ever. I'm sure you already knew this.
-I'm totally composting, like a cool person.
-I broke my New Year promise of reading a Novel a month in August. Mercy for the weak.
-The pepper plant is still alive! (side note: all my plants are alive! Miracles do happen!)
and most important of all...
-WE GOT A DOG. a real one.

Remember when I told you I would move to Colorado and do all these special things. Well dog was the last thing on my list and it has been done my friends. and he's pretty much the craziest thing I have ever seen. Aren't dogs supposed to be somewhat trained by nature? I'm confused. This dog is insane. "This dog", his name is Lewis. But around these parts we call him Louie. and if you must know I named him after the great american explorer, Meriwether Lewis. There is no real significance to this.

I've found a job! (Yay!-anxiety kind of over!) But it doesn't start for a while, so I've been spending a lot of my time at home. This new place, is by far the homeliest home I have lived in. The reason is most likely the carpet. 

Anyway, I love this place. Every square inch. It's also open to the public, so please, come in and say hello!

I recently returned from what was probably my last little vacation for the summer. (NOOOO~!) How the eff is it already August?! I can't believe that we have been living in CO for two months already.

And now, let me present to you: Pictures of my visit to Spokane, WA.

Let's finish up this roll of pictures with beautiful roses of the most western area of the pacific northwest...

Ah. Wasn't that just nice? The pictures make it seem like we were just innocently picking cherries, praying at evangelical churches and what not, but I assure you it was much more exciting than that! We got lost, 170 degrees, splash pad, mario kart. It was action packed.

What a beautiful area! How was your visit Wight/mans?? I'm still boggled by the fact that of all the places to be in this world, we were in the same area and within a day of each other!!

I miss you guys! Christopher V. and Miyuki! Come on down for a visit, Ya' hear!

A very happy four years, to my very favorite person!

One of my friends Kuni and his wife, who live in Brooklyn, NY, have the most beautiful shop called Kanorado Shop.

He recently asked me if he could post a few of my trip pictures from my Jackson/Craters of the Moon Trip on the shops' tumblr page. Go take a look! Also while you are over there, you should buy something and support my pals. They are the most amazing people! The last/ONLY time I visited New York, his wife made the most delicious brie sandwiches and we sat on a real checkered picnic blanket. Also we were at Brooklyn Park listening to the New York Philharmonic Orchestra and during the final song there was fireworks. Oh, I had you at brie? I know, I'm secretly in love with her as well. You are required to live a very cool life over there in New York.

This is not a sponsored post.

(Picture Citing: Kanorado Shop)

Update: I went back to look at pictures from the park event and it looks like we are sitting on a rather colorful, striped, regular blanket. Sorry, I lied. Our unrelated neighbors were the ones sitting on a checkered one. 

Taking stock for Summer:

Making: banana bread
Cooking: same as above
Drinking: water!
Reading: The Illiad
Wanting: my hairbrush that I left somewhere...
Looking: at S
Playing: no games
Wasting: no more coffee filters! I got a reusable one!
Wishing: to not wish anymore
Enjoying: the porch
Waiting: for a call from job applications
Liking: our new home
Wondering: if S will make me dinner
Loving: the sun
Hoping: to go swimming
Marveling: that we have a porch!
Needing: some more mountain time
Smelling: the banana bread...burning??
Wearing: a bright pink skirt
Following: my heart
Noticing: that I need to reduce my carbon footprint
Knowing: that June went by too fast!
Thinking: of adopting a dog
Feeling: that S will say No to said dog
Bookmarking: recycling centers in my area
Opening: new books
Giggling: at the neighbors
Feeling: sun kissed

S and I live for our summer vacations. Mostly they revolve around hitting up National Parks (we have this map that is obsessively marked with all the ones we've been too) and we were able to hit four new ones on this trip! (nerds!)

We started out in Great Basin National Park. It's extremely out of the way but is definitely worth it! We explored Lehman Caves (highly recommend), did a few little hikes and lastly we climbed Wheeler Peak. (fun fact: Wheeler peak is the 2nd highest peak in Nevada but the 12th most prominent peak in the contiguous United States) 

I know I cry a lot, but if you reached the top of this peak, looked around you and saw the amazingness and vastness of Nevada. I assure you, you would have also shed a tear. It was awe inspiring. 

Next, we drove on through southern Utah. (BEST PLACE IN THE WORLD PERIOD) Camped in Natural Bridges and searched for the elusive House on Fire ruins in the nearby canyon. Which we did not find because of our intelligence, but only happenstance. 

We then drove down the Moki dugway to Gooseneck State Park where I saw a few Japanese folk, Hovenweep NP, Canyon of the Ancients NP, Mesa Verde NP and lastly the Great Sand Dunes NP. It was one of the best six days I have ever had. 

 -The right most peak is Wheeler-

 -House on Fire-

 -Owachomo in Natural Bridges NP-

 -Hovenweep-

 -Mesa Verde NP-

-chums at Spruce Tree House-

Greetings from Colorful Colorado!

We are finally, just slightly, getting settled in to our new town so I thought I'd drop in to say hello!

I've been on quite the emotional roller coaster the past few weeks. One minute I love all the free time and the next minute I'm having a panic attack because I'm jobless. Nevertheless, we are enjoying ourselves through hiking, exploring this new place we now call home and much baking. Here are a few pictures from the hike we went on in the Indian Peaks. It's only an hour away from our new place so I'm sure I'll be making frequent visits here!

My time here in my hometown is coming to a close. S and I are moving back to Colorado!

I've moved out of state before but this time it feels entirely different. It is a little more permanent.

So long, Utah!

But! On to the next chapter of my life!

Keep checking up on my blog as I do Coloradoey things, such as...hike every fourteener, eat voodoo donuts, live in an overpriced apartment and maybe get a dog.

(Also, I forgot to mention that I did finish the half marathon! Am I glad it is over? Yes. Now that I've tried one, will I do it again? No.)

Thank you, Mom for always being there for me.

( kmbergrren on etsy )

I have signed up for my first 1/2 marathon.
I probably should have tested the waters with a 5K, but I am a very spontaneous person. (spontaneous: doing things that have not been planned but that seem enjoyable and worth doing at a particular time -Merriam Webster-) "seem enjoyable and worth doing at a particular time" Yup. That particular time...I think just ended because it's not seeming too enjoyable now...but I've given my word and I've paid the toll fee. Wish me a lot of luck, for I may not make it to the finish line.

On the plus side: I've been doing most of my training on the shoreline and it is really beautiful.

Craters of the Moon National Monument, ID.