Underestimation

It has been a rainy year, followed by so many pleasantly wonderful days. On Thursday, it was my last day of school and the day it was suggested we go hiking. I readily agreed, and looking at the weather decided it would be a warm 70 degrees in the lower parts of the mountains - warm enough that all the snow should be gone (it hasn't snowed for at least 2 weeks). Friday came in all of its anticipated glory, and I put on shorts and sunscreen because 70 is pleasant weather. We looked up some trails in Forest Falls and set out on our adventure!! On our way up, we were all surprised to see snow on some of the hills. Must be the shady sides. So we park at the trail head, and the whole trail is under a couple FEET of snow. Feet. Becca wore sandals. After attempting to walk through it (rather unsuccessfully, I might add) we left. A little dejected - but still glad of the fresh air and freedom from classes. A complete underestimation of the cruelties of Southern California winter. Oh, you trixy snowy mountains you. Full of snow in MARCH!! March - really?
But being the tough girls that we were (did I mention we brought plenty of snacks?) we scoped out a great looking green hill to practice our Julie Andrews lyrics on. One such hill was found, and then the search for a road leading to it ensued. What did we find at the end of our road? Greenspot Farms: Open for tours and weddings. And Bees, apparently. Suddenly, the skies opened up, and California sought redemption in our eyes and we got a private tour - including petting two 2 3-week old horses (fouls?) and meeting a miniature horse couple, exploring a honey hive, eating fresh honey, triumphing a wicked hard hedge maze, and dominating a seesaw. These activities were followed shortly by a short hike up the green hill and singing happily.
Day 1 of Spring Break = massive success.

Mae

This might be the most fantastic band I have ever heard.Besides, maybe the Beach Boys.

I want to live here.

I watched A Good Year last night. It reminded me that all I want in life is to live in a French chateau. By a church like this.

I'm 22!

Lat week I turned 22. :)
So me and Jacki are twinners! I remember being twinners with her when I was 7 - it's always exciting, that time I realized it in church, and I danced in the hallway. But, as she likes to remind me - it won't last.
Anyway, here are 22 things I did in the last year!
1. Went to Paris (SURPRISE!), London, Rome, Amsterdam and Geneva.
2. Ate the most heavenly meals this world has to offer on a regular basis in Mandelieu.
3. Went back to Provo to visit brother #2 and his beautiful family.
4. Gambled!! For the first time!! (and subsequently lost, luckily it was only a dollar)
5. Went to the Cannes Film Festival!
6. Got accepted to Loma Linda University!
7. Started Dental Hygiene.
8. Went to Boston to visit my brother - decided to move there when I graduate.
9. Moved back home - decided my husband must be going to MIT.
10. Decided to get braces! Whoa.
11. Had my first foreign boyfriend.
12. Hiked down to Havasupai and back! WITH my sad knee. *proud moment*
13. Beat Grant in bowling - Twice. After he took a class.
14. Lost to Wes in Mini Golf. Sad Day. I'll seek my revenge.
15. Hosted a Valentine's weekend for my dear friend who got engaged!
16. Saw the Venice Beach Canals for the first time.
17. Quad riding for the first time.
18. Became the Activities Committee Chair.
19. Went to my first hockey game.
20. Started swimming. :)
21. Signed up and am taking a golf class.
22. Ate real Parisian pastries and French baguettes on a regular basis. I'll never be the same.

I'm excited to be 22. Besides 'being in the 20's' it seems like a fun year. This is my year of self improvement: Braces, exercise, wisdom teeth extractions, hearing test evaluations, classes, and church. My whole week of being 22 has served me well. I'm happy to be here. :)

I don't get it

I love reading, I always have. I will read just about anything. Heck, I even read Twilight. I just like to read. Words on paper make me soo happy. I endlessly read blogs, and books, and magazines. I read a book of survival scenerios last week. I don't even know why. But then, here is the thing, I hate when I am assigned reading. Suddenly it's a chore. I can't hate it more. I remember reading assignments in high school, I was loathe to read them. And they were some of my favorite books!! (A Tale of Two Cities, Of Mice and Men, and Dante's Inferno are some examples) This has always puzzled me. I can understand my dislike of reading text books (especially the ones that think they are funny. Physical science is not funny BYU. It's just not. Deal with it), but I hate being forced into novels.
So then the plot thickens, I also love to exercise. I love hiking, and biking, and swimming, and being outdoors. I'm not much of a sports person, but I genuinely enjoy moving about. So, you would think I would enjoy all my free exercise gym time and do whatever I want. But I don't. I get so overwhelmed with all the things I can do, I end up just leaving. To solve this I decided to start taking some classes - which I was afraid of because I hate when people force me to do things I like. But wouldn't you know it - I absolutely LOVE IT! I LOVE when the cycle guy yells at me to turn up the resistance. I love that I don't have to decide how many squats to do, or how much weight to do it with. There is someone, who - let's face it, has hardly anymore experience than me or anyone else in the class - has thought out all these ideas of what to do next. "Hill climb - 20 minutes, then sprints, and a few rollers at the end." How marvelous. So as I sit there thinking my legs are about to fall off, or maybe my lungs will explode, I'm as happy as a clam.
What is that about?!