Goof Troop

Welcome to Cedar City!
Presenting:
The Goof Troop

King. of the jungle.

Loo. sha.

Hot. we got sunburned/tan.

Dew. Arami. i'm not cool.

Troop. loo was embarrassed.

Hagz. Nehongo. don't worry she didn't steal my ice cream.

I learned "how to vacation"

A long period of time full of hard work, stress, drama, laughter and tears...and I finally got a break. I picked up and left to visit family in Utah. I really did feel weird leaving, unfinished business left to be forgotten about. This made me excited and anxious. I didn't have to deal with any of it for a while. So this is why people go on vacation...I see the glory of it. :)

3 weeks, that's all.

Well, so far, my vacation has been interesting...very fun to say the least. But, in a different way. I planned for plans. I scheduled my days in with activities and meals and games and people to meet and places to see. I would wake up in the morning, eat some breakfast, then ask "now what? What should we do today?" Well, I learned a lot. My family kept telling me, "you do NOT know how to relax do you? You're on vacation! You don't HAVE to be doing ANYTHING!"

I was so used to being busy all the time and rushing to here and there and trying to get 5 things done at once for 5 different people depending on me. Then I would be angry because I felt like I was letting someone down...thank goodness I'm on vacation. (Don't get me wrong, I'm not the "serious-guys-dont-laugh-right-now-stop-having-fun" type of person. It's just been a busy last few months.)

So, I am happy to report that I have had a lot of fun going slowly, doing things when I want to, enjoying the couch potato ways of some good fun lounging.

I definitely miss home, and miss making myself more useful. But I feel great, taking time for myself and to spend all my time with family.

Of course we've been making the best out of every moment...adventure. Here we are on the Ranger riding the mountain roads.

We stayed at a friend's cabin - really nice cabin.

After being up in the mountains, we took a trip down to Las Vegas...boy was it HOT down there. So we went from snow and fireplaces to dry heat and swimming pools! :)
So these are just a select few photos from my vacation so far. My break from everything. My lesson of life: to relax and enjoy it.

I'm always having fun - no matter what or where.

My Birthday :D

Born: April 6, 1987

I was refreshed from the weekend's LDS General Conference, but Mondays are usually the hardest days to get through. Especially since it was my birthday, I was way more anxious to get done with school and work. Actually, I had 2 finals on my birthday and a horrible work meeting. :( But I was, of course, cheerful and excited for another day to celebrate.

My friends took me out to dinner...awesome. We ended up at a place called Shabu Shabu House, A japanese restaurant...good grinds!! Seriously one of my fav places now! haha!

They give you a big plate of meat and veggies and you cook it right in front of you in some hot water. Then you eat right outta pot with some sauces and rice! Mmmmmm...

The people there were so nice...we stayed well over their closing time and they just had fun waiting for us. I just liked it a lot. That's all. :)

And here we all are...Christy, Gavin, Jenni, Kuulei, Lei, Nancy, & Saxon...
And we went to Dave & Busters for dessert...raspberry cheescake...

I decided that since my birthday was on a Monday, it just means I get to celebrate all week! So, there are definitely more pictures coming because I still got more parties! :) No joke..

from beginning to end

fast post.
thursday.
woke up on time (unusual) even before my alarm went off
parents being spontaneous, took me and sister to hukilau cafe for breakfast :D
late to class, took notes on how my lifestyle should not have to change according to my wealth
ate free pizza at work
late to class (haha), shared to the class the myth of the sleeping boy at kahana bay
boss called me into office to tell me i have been reaching his expectations
boss filled out paperwork for a niiice raise :D
happily went home
with family talking story
crashed for a few hours
culture night practice
hung out with good friends
filmed for a video i'm making
"vula" gas station
listened to music, cruised the web
about to fall asleeep.....

i'd have to say a great day from beginning to end.

Therapy

There's nothing like a bright, beautiful morning,
breathing in the salty, thick air
and feeling the tingles of the crashing waves
through my body.

Once again, I found myself in need of relaxation.
My heart needed to be revived.
So I went to a place I love - POUNDERS BEACH.
And did something I love - TAKE PHOTOS.

^One of the first few pictures happens to be my favorite.
Sunrise, today.

I love the sand
and walking in the sand barefoot.
And I love the way the water
looks on the sand as it pulls back to the ocean.

These crabs are invisible
until you sit down and focus.
Then you can see the tiny creatures
shuffling, digging, creeping.
A whole colony.

I tried catching that gleam of orange light
on the top of the water.

Once again, I feel the need to rejoice
and express my gratitude.
I live in such a great place
that never seizes to amaze me.
Pounders beach is so awesome!

A Great Example

I love my daddy.

Charity

"And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understanding all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have no charity, I am nothing." 1 Corinthians 13:2 (italics and bold added)

I have been thinking a lot about how I can be a better person. The idea of charity has been pressing my mind for some time now. I absolutely love that word and everything it stands for. Charity is pure love. A love that is so hard for me to imagine, yet you know what? "It is the love that Christ has for the children of men and that the children of men should have for one another. It is the highest, noblest, and strongest kind of love and the most joyous to the soul." (lds.org Topic Definition)

LOVE is more than a feeling. Love is an action. An action of service and hoping for better in the world. If we believe that we can make a difference and we can give hope to anyone in need (and hope in ourselves) then we can love...and serve.

"Wherefore, there must be faith; and if there must be faith there must also be hope; and if there must be hope there must also be charity." Moroni 10:20

At BYU-Hawaii I'm working on a project with several other students. It's called @RTIMOS Productions. It is a music/dance concert held on campus. The purpose is to create a space of peace and cultural understanding, and to teach principles of leadership through the performances of BYUH students. Our next concert coming up in March is focusing on service. Our theme is: Soul, Heart, and Hands.
It's that progression of finding it within our souls to see other people and love them. We will put that love from our heart into action as we truly serve others.
(Visit our website at artimos.org and watch our past productions!)

"Be the change you want to see in the world." -Gandhi

"Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another." Romans 14:19

No matter where we are from, or where we are at the moment, or who we think we are, we can all help each other and share our love.

This is how I will grow to be a better person.