a unicycle

I upgraded from the Cyco Cycle.
The dearest of friends named Tyler brought it down from his humble abode in Idaho.
And I am forever indebted to him.
Every friend I make on this thing will be due to him.
But also.....
Every bruise on my shin and every face plant is also owed to him.
But, I must say, the positives definitely outweigh the negatives.
So cheers to learning how to ride this contraption without breaking my face.

oh cedar city how i love you

Does anyone else feel as if they have to take a vacation because of their vacation?
Well I sure do.
Brooklyn and Alexa headed down to Cedar City with me this weekend.
And it was a grand 'ol time.
As Cedar City always is.
We first went to Kanarraville Falls-my favorite hike in the world.
It is about 15 minutes south of Cedar City and is a little slot canyon.
Our feet became numb in about five minutes.
And then the rest of our bodies followed suit after the rock slide.
YOLO right?
We headed over to the rock wall afterwards and did some climbing.
At the place that was basically my home while I was down at school there.
Whilst there we were told about an institute dance so we mozied on over there.
And went crazy.
Cedar City puts on a great party.
And I got to see all of my old friends in their Halloween costumes.
This morning after hitting up the boulder comp we headed to some hot springs.
And they were beautiful.
When we walked up to the second one a man with a southern accent said,
"Welcome to Hawaii, surfs up!"
And he wasn't joking.
Those pools were beautiful.
I can't believe I haven't discovered them until now.
But I found them right before winter-perfect timing.

gallery

I love graffiti.
I once encountered a Would You Rather question:
Would you rather have someone toilet paper your house once a week?
Or have someone graffiti your house once a month?
I would most definitely, without hesitation have someone graffiti my house.
And thus, I give you.....
A few of my favorite street artists.
(Along with links to their sites.)


Banksy:

Mark Jenkins:

 Dispatch Work:

Dolk:

Icy and Sot

OaKoAk

Slinkachu

resume builder

I know, I know, I've already written a post about my job.
But it just offers so much to write on so here I am again.
I have realized that I am learning many skills that would be useful on a resume.
Or that should be included on a checklist by a potential roommate or spouse.
They're that good.
Let's begin.
>If I accidentally spill a bottle of bleach on my pants I can quickly make it look artsy and new age.
>I can flush absolutely any toilet. Just call me the best female plumber around.
>I can find the best hiding spots to pop out and scare people.
>I know how to tell a thrilling ghost story.
>I have the ability to get all of the free toilet paper, shampoo, and soap my little heart desires.

But really......
This is all we do at work.......

the fannypack diaries: adventure

"Adventure is a path. Real adventure--self-determined, self-motivated, often risky--forces you to have firsthand encounters with the world. The world the way it is, not the way you imagine it. Your body will collide with the Earth and you will bear witness. In this way you will be compelled to grapple with the limitless kindness and bottomless cruelty of human kind--and perhaps realize that you yourself are capable of both. This will change you. Nothing will ever again be black and white."
-Mark Jenkins

Taken in the Kaibab National Forest

Adventure is a path. Real adventure – self-determined, self-motivated, often risky – forces you to have firsthand encounters with the world. The world the way it is, not the way you imagine it. Your body will collide with the earth and you will bear witness. In this way you will be compelled to grapple with the limitless kindness and bottomless cruelty of humankind – and perhaps realize that you yourself are capable of both. This will change you. Nothing will ever again be black-and-white.
Read more at http://matadornetwork.com/bnt/50-most-inspiring-travel-quotes-of-all-time/#zLc2cujbuiU58FAu.99

Adventure is a path. Real adventure – self-determined, self-motivated, often risky – forces you to have firsthand encounters with the world. The world the way it is, not the way you imagine it. Your body will collide with the earth and you will bear witness. In this way you will be compelled to grapple with the limitless kindness and bottomless cruelty of humankind – and perhaps realize that you yourself are capable of both. This will change you. Nothing will ever again be black-and-white.
Read more at http://matadornetwork.com/bnt/50-most-inspiring-travel-quotes-of-all-time/#zLc2cujbuiU58FAu.99

Adventure is a path. Real adventure – self-determined, self-motivated, often risky – forces you to have firsthand encounters with the world. The world the way it is, not the way you imagine it. Your body will collide with the earth and you will bear witness. In this way you will be compelled to grapple with the limitless kindness and bottomless cruelty of humankind – and perhaps realize that you yourself are capable of both. This will change you. Nothing will ever again be black-and-white.
Read more at http://matadornetwork.com/bnt/50-most-inspiring-travel-quotes-of-all-time/#zLc2cujbuiU58FAu.99

Adventure is a path. Real adventure – self-determined, self-motivated, often risky – forces you to have firsthand encounters with the world. The world the way it is, not the way you imagine it. Your body will collide with the earth and you will bear witness. In this way you will be compelled to grapple with the limitless kindness and bottomless cruelty of humankind – and perhaps realize that you yourself are capable of both. This will change you. Nothing will ever again be black-and-white.
Read more at http://matadornetwork.com/bnt/50-most-inspiring-travel-quotes-of-all-time/#zLc2cujbuiU58FAu.99

Adventure is a path. Real adventure – self-determined, self-motivated, often risky – forces you to have firsthand encounters with the world. The world the way it is, not the way you imagine it. Your body will collide with the earth and you will bear witness. In this way you will be compelled to grapple with the limitless kindness and bottomless cruelty of humankind – and perhaps realize that you yourself are capable of both. This will change you. Nothing will ever again be black-and-white.
Read more at http://matadornetwork.com/bnt/50-most-inspiring-travel-quotes-of-all-time/#zLc2cujbuiU58FAu.99

we did it

I've been living in Provo for about two months and I have just barely gotten to the task of hiking the Y.
It was well worth the wait.
It was necessary for me to build up some endurance before conquering that mountain.
We got to see all the gorgeous leaves changing color.
And of course we did yoga once we got to the top.
What a great way to start the day.
(Or afternoon rather since we didn't wake up till ten....)

october

It is about halfway through one of my favorite months.
And it has not dissapointed.
The leaves are gorgeous and the rain has been welcomed with open arms.
I will even be OK with the chill as long as I get to look at the mountains everyday.
But I do have one regret.
I have not yet been to a haunted house this year.
I have approximately  two weekends (!!!) to get on that.
See, October is my favorite because for some reason I love to be scared.
I started the month off in typical Halloween fashion.
At work we sat in the locker room and told ghost stories for a good hour.
And now I will have to end the month equally as satisfying.
Last year I started the 12 days of Halloween tradition.
Starting on the 19th I watched a scary movie every night until Halloween.
And I loved it.
So, world, please start suggesting scary movies for me to watch.
I probably won't be able to watch one every night because I work the shift of death.
But I will surely try.
All in the name of Halloween.

how to look like a hipster

>First and foremost you must get upset at anybody who calls you a hipster. Because even though you are trying to be a hipster, it's not cool to actually be a hipster.
>You must own a pair of glasses that are as big as your face. And since you are only supposed to buy them to look cool they don't even need to be prescription. If you wear contacts just buy the glasses and pop the lenses out because this is the most practical use for glasses.
>During a musical discussion make up band names in order to look like you know the most obscure bands. For example: The Shoulder Devils, Twisted Shower Curtain, Check Out Line, The Purple Mountains Majesties. Feel free to throw these out next time you need them.
>Mention that you did some unheard of activity such as doing yoga in a tree. When people ask about it respond by saying something along the lines of "Oh you haven't done that? it's all the rage in the villages of Guatemala."
>In reference to fashion, you must layer on different mismatched clothes in order to look like you just rolled out of bed and threw on whatever you could find. Because hipsters don't care about their appearance. So don't look like you tried to hard. (But actually spend like half an hour in this process.)
>Instagram at least five times a day. Try to make them real artsy. Maybe one post could be a picture of a plain white wall. But take the picture at least five times in order to get the right angle. And then hashtag that it took you one time to get that beautiful shot and that there is not even a filter. (Guess how many times it took me to get that lovely up there? Twice. With a filter. But I'm smart enough not to hashtag that.)
>Always. Always. Have a different opinion. Over every single topic. "Oh you call it breakfast? Well I prefer to call it morning nourishment for the soul."

i shopped organically

So I have been wanting to shop more organically for while.
I know all the benefits.
I was just scared of what it would cost.
But today I tried it.
And I loved it.
The store was filled with a bunch of "granolas" just like me.
After I bought some groceries there I decided to head over to Macey's to do a little comparison.
And this is what I found.
At Sprouts Farmers Market I spent $15.17 before tax.
At Macey's I would have spent $15.66 before tax.
I didn't save much, but doesn't that show that you CAN realistically shop organically?
Here is the comparison:

At Sprouts I spent 40 cents more on bread, but it was worth it.
I read the ingredients labels and was astounded.
In the Macey's loaf of bread there is a paragraph of ingredients and 220 calories, 430 mg of sodium, 5 grams of sugar, and 46 grams of carbs.
In the Sprouts loaf of bread there are 8 ingredients, 52 calories, 70 mg of sodium, 2 grams of sugar, and 10 g of carbs.
Now, the Sprouts loaf does not have as much protein, fiber, or iron.
However, you can easily get your daily fill of those in healthier ways.
Basically, it's worth it to have less calories, organically grown, hormone free chicken, and pesticide free fruit.

the cyco cycle returns

Freshman year Tami and I went to Walmart one Friday when we were bored.
We had the intent of buying scooters.
Because scooters solve all boredom.
As we were just about to pick up two scooters I turn around.
And see....
The CYCO CYCLE.
And I knew that the decision I was about to make was definitely a bad one.
Because who wants a scooter when you can have a three wheeled bike with no handlebars?
We bought it immediately.
With no second thoughts and no regrets two years later.
Well, now being at BYU I decided to introduce it to this little city.
And naturally, it was received with open arms.
I'm just grateful to Brooklyn who, when I demand of her to get on my shoulders...
She gets on.
No questions asked.

confessions and observations

>I love scary movies. I'm so excited that it is October so that I can do my 12 days of Halloween and watch a scary movie every night until Halloween. It might be a little rough this year since I actually have obligations in life. But surprisingly most people don't like scary movies. So I end up watching them by myself. Is that weird?

>I want to be a hippy. It's the thing that I aspire to the most. I think I'm halfway there with my yoga, headbands, barefeet, and recycling.....right?

>I hate myself when I use too much technology. Have you ever found yourself in the situation at night time when you are using your laptop and then you finally decide that it is time for bed so you put away your laptop, get in bed, and......pull out your smart phone? It never ends.

>Here is my deepest, darkest confession. I like the DMV. Yes you read that right. Anytime I need to go there I get so excited. Every time I have gone there I have met the strangest person that just made my day so much better. Who doesn't like reading there book in a long line and making friends with strangers?

>I hate nutella. It is so gross and I don't know why everyone loves it so much. Peanut butter all the way!

the fanny pack diaries: why i travel

One day while I was working as a nanny a construction worker came up to me while I was in the front yard to ask me a question.

I tried the best I could to help him and then went on my way. 

He came back up to me later in the day to give me a somewhat fatherly lecture.

He told me his story about how he had come to America with little possessions. 

He worked various jobs, but just enough to get him by. 

Despite his little amount of money he always made sure to travel and to see all that he could of the world. 

He told me that money should be no object. 

If it is important enough to me then I will travel. 

And if it is not important to me then I should make it important because seeing the beauty in the world and meeting all the different types of people in the world and experiencing all different sorts of cultures is what life is all about. 

I went home from work that night and looked up plane tickets to Africa. 

I had always wanted to travel and see the world, but the money that it would take always stressed me out and gave me pre-mature gray hair. 

But I knew that I had to figure out my priorities. 

I wanted travel to be a priority so I was going to act like it was. 

Long story short, I ended up going to Africa on a whim for an amazing two weeks because a German man on the streets told me to live my dreams.  


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living more simply

Have you ever been to the point where you have so many clothes that you just have nothing to wear?
And you stand in front of the closet for a good 30 minutes trying to find an outfit?
It's an oxymoronic turning point in a girl's life.
I read this article about a girl who wore the same outfit every day for an entire year.
She loved clothes but found that they were consuming all of her thoughts.
She writes that she soon came to the realization that her identity was becoming her wardrobe.
She slowly started getting rid of clothes until she only had one outfit left with a few accessories.
What she discovered was amazing.
And it made me think about the things that clutter my life and my decision making.
Do I have so many belongings that my thoughts and decisions are consumed by these petty possessions?
Are my belongings keeping me from appreciating the Earth more than manufacturers?
Am I spending money on things I don't need rather than saving it for a future adventure?
Am I letting my identity become my possessions?
I think that once we determine what our values and priorities are in life then we can start simplifying.
Are the things we own conducive to what we value?
William Morris said:
Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.
I've decided to take on a challenge.
To live with only 100 items.
I'm going to have to start going through my belongings because I definitely have more than 100 items.
I'll let ya know how it goes!

life on the fly

Here are some of the many pictures from my life as of late.

Rain! So much of it lately and I love it. This is from the monsoon that hit Provo.

Climbed my first 10a. I was Pa-retty excited!

Neighbors that bring cupcakes are the best neighbors.

Recently listened to an amazing Ted Talk about bees.

 
Here's my doggy. He's handsome.