WHIRLPOOLS

I feel like everyone I speak to is grasping for breath... Let me preface this, everyone in this life must face trials and each of them are completely different. For the most part we are trying to do our best to be a good citizen, friend, husband, wife, daughter, mother, lover, neighbor, etc. For me at this moment, I feel like life has become a whole lot of distractions, not necessarily bad distractions but pulling at me in every direction. Some days it feels like it takes everything I have to just lift my head up for a breath. The world is spinning all around us and all we can do now is to remember the few things that we can hold onto that will give us the strength to pull us completely into the eye of the pool. For some of us it is our family, friends, spirituality, God, love, etc. Some days we are gasping more than others... I just hope we can each find that strength to make it out.

Currently living

After 5 years of being out of school…it seems impossible to start again. My mind ponders, how was I ever able to do this before? But the refining process has begun. I am now finishing my first class in my graduate program and I am getting better and better at using my time wisely. I am learning and growing daily. I am currently living in Arizona and attending the NAU Masters in School Counseling at their extension campuses.

On top school I am continuing to work full time, as a travel agent. I don’t stay still well, so my occasional weekend trips continually happen. Plus I recently got called as the Mia Maid advisor and I am going to Girls camp as the ward cabin mom! Then on top of all of this, yes it must be said; I am still single and trying to meet a boy. I have realized that I need to just prioritize my time effectively to make my life bearable for now.

I have also began to listen to Dave Ramsey and his budgeting ways… I am trying to pay off my student debt (as I accumulate more, bahahaha). I am just trying to be more intelligent in all aspects of my life.

"Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved." -- Helen Keller.

Spirit of the Andes

Sitting at the top of 4600 meters (=15000 ft or half of Everest) I had a moment to reflect on all that I have seen along this trek...Let me tell you a story about their lives. These Quechua people basically have what they provide for themselves. At the home we visited, was a family of 5. A woman who owned the home and then her sister with her 3 children. The oldest child was not home as he is 7 and walks 2 hours to school every day. The children (Christian was the boy's name, but I don't remember the little girls name?) were so happy and excited to see us. I gave little Christian a mandarin orange and he was so happy. He wouldn't put it down.

The family let us into their single roomed home, picture this: one end is the kitchen, pots and pans stored on the ground and the fireplace where they will cook all of their food. The roof of the house is black from the smoke of the fires. All along the edges is their storage and anything to be kept dry surround the main part of the home. On the opposite end of the home is a leveled room. No doors, we could just see the bedding. There are guinea pigs, cats and dogs that all share this with the family. The Coy/ guinea pigs are one of the healthiest meats and although they are pets now, will one day be consumed by the family. Hanging from the ceiling of the home was meat from animals, the neck and ribs of an alpaca, etc. You can't even begin to describe how humbling this family's home was.

As our group sat around the edges of the inside of the home, Johan told us about their lives. What makes these people happy and how the continue to live their life in such a simple way. I remained speechless and was touched and changed in ways I don't think I have been in a long, long time. The Quechua people are some of the least selfish people around. In their communities everything is shared. Everyone contributes to the work. If they are going to build a home for a new couple, everyone comes and helps. If they need help with their farms, everyone contribues. Johan said that the government has tried to help them and make their communities 'more modern', but that it never took for them. Because they don't view life as we do. They don't understand all that we know and for that matter, don't need all that we have.

When did we become such a selfish people? I am definitely not saying that I would prefer to live like they do, but it humbles me and helps put into perspective the things that I need to better myself; more giving and willing to help others. I don't need as much as I think to survive. I do not pity these people in the slightest. I respect them for who they are and how they continue to raise their families and live their lives. These people truly are what makes the Spirit of the Andes.

Clarity

Have you ever had a moment where everything is in total chaos and yet you can see perfectly clear in front of you? Well today I felt it. I was walking back from the gym with my thoughts going a million miles an hour. Listening to my ipod, a song came on, What's a Boy to Do by Mat Kearney. It was at that moment that all of my emotions came flooding through me...happiness, sadness, loneliness, comfort, love, loss, tiredness but mostly clarity. It is incredible that music can have that power of us and I love it! Take a listen and enjoy.

I actually don't think the meaning of the song has anything to do with what I was feeling...lol.

Aging

So I have been pondering my emotions and frankly just the way I am in relationships...trying to get to the root of the problem I am having as a single adult. Yep, I said it, adult...somehow I don't know where the years have gone ;)

I have been brought up to be independent and self sufficient. Which I am proud that I am able to work hard for all that I do and get in life. But with this comes age and MORE independence. As I have yet to find my prince charming I am alone in this endeavour. Now I am starting to recognize a problem. I enjoy people! I love getting to know someone and seeing what makes a person the way they are. I enjoy finding differences and hearing life experiences that help me grow. The problem arises, that as much as I enjoy being around my best friends, the people who make my life so much better...I like to be alone. I need my own space and my own time.

I have found this hard for some people to understand and I am starting to see that I may be too independent. I might push people away because I need this alone time.

Yet we are expected to work full time, go to school full time and work, plus... do service, go to all the activities that are put on for the 'young' single adults, date, study, etc. I love staying busy and doing all of these things. So the remaining moments (if you can even call them that) of my day are wanting to just sit in my room and read, discover photo projects to work on, but basically to just be by myself sorting through my mind.


Aging is a hard thing to do alone and yet I wonder if it is easier to do with someone by your side? I guess that is the question I need to figure out...

I could do Sydney

Give me a city where there is parks, cafes, shopping and Mexican food...I could do it. Seriously, though Sydney was great. I really enjoyed my short little taste of it. The people were friendly and helpful (although I only think I heard about 2 people speak with an Australian accent?) Wicked was, well wicked! Shopping was pretty grand. But most importantly they had delicious, cheap Mexican food. It was just what I needed! I little slice of spice in every bit...mmmmmm.

Taken from the ferry to the Zoo. Sydney, Australia.

The Opera House.

My bf.

Cute little koala <3

What would a place be, if it didn't have delicious gelato!

Saving the best for last, 2 delicious chicken tacos. In corn tortillas, corn salsa and med salsa, black beans, cheese and lettuce. Mmmmmmmm....need I say more!

Auckland City at night

What a beautiful city. This shot is taken from the North Shore, across the bridge. I work in the city and ride the bus across the bridge every day. Some things I will miss....