Tuesday, October 03, 2006

Arkansas Vacation


Once home we all packed up and went to Arkansas (I know, packing up over and over again...). Once there, 10 hours after leaving Fort Worth, we spent most of the time there at the lake, water skiing, jet-skiing, wake boarding, boat riding, and just generally chilling. It was a much welcomed respite from the rigorous task of selling day-in and day-out. Our vacation was short lived, however, which was somewhat depressing.

A few things I noticed out there - first, family was (and is) much more important than I thought before. Of course, as a missionary I realized this, but the last 2 years that I've been back home I haven't had a refresher course, until May. It was so much fun to spend time with my immediate and extended family, even for just a few days. Working like a dog 2000 miles from home for 4 straight months really puts life into perspective, at least for a 23-year-old college student like me. Second, I had grown up a ton out there in Ca (not physically). I wasn't so irritable around my siblings as before, and took previously offensive or awkward comments/actions with a grain of salt and with patience. I was also much more assertive with actions and opinions. Before I had been not scared but timid to share my views, afraid of hurting someone's feelings or offending someone. Since I worked this summer, however, I retain tact in conversations but I don't hold back from saying things that I feel need saying. It's great to feel liberated!!

Well, enough philosoph-
izing...here's some pictures from Arkansas. My uncle lives on the edge of a 1000 ft bluff looking down into the white river and over miles and miles of land to the west. It's just breathtaking. Honestly, when we developed some of these pictures at walmart and other arkansas greeting venues we had many people ask us what resort we stayed at. We just smiled and soaked it in...hehe.

Speaking of soaking it in...here's my sister, twin, and I on a tube - under water. Fun times.

Waterpolo

During the summer we played waterpolo every thursday morning from 9 to 10-ish. This is just a tribute to the joys of victory and sting of defeat that we relished/suffered weekly (in addition to actually selling).

























































And everyone's favorite:


Trent, going in for an awesome goal. Unfortunately, he got out of the pool, therefore nullifying his shot, but still, give the boy credit - that was an awesome shot. Plus I took the picture. Stunning. I know.

It's me again

So, it's been a long time since i've left you all wondering about my whereabouts and the delights of my life. Actually, I wonder how many actually read this thing. But it's good to write it all down...well, not all of it. Either way, here I am again.

I finished this summer off on August 16th, when I left beautiful, sunny, socal and drove up to Las Vegas to spend the night with friends before getting up to Provo the next day. Once in provo I spent maybe 2 hours there before we packed up and left to drive to Fort Worth, Texas, where I'm from. Those were some long hours I pulled, driving from Los Angeles, Ca, to Provo, Ut, and then to Fort Worth Texas in about 36 hours. They were fun hours though, being with my sister and twin for the first time in 4 months. Plus the fact that my sister got her first speeding ticket right outside of provo...that gave way for some lively conversations for a few hours. :-) I'll go ahead now and make different posts describing different aspects of the summer. Enjoy