Summer's Here.

I haven't really been blogging much, mostly because 1) I don't feel that my life is that blog-able right now, and 2) we have been so busy that blogging is at the bottom of the list.

What have we been doing, you ask? Well, aside from the usual pool lounging, beer-kickballing, and social getting-togethering, we have been exploring and discovering new nooks and crannies of the West.

We went to South Dakota -- to the beautiful Black Hills, Custer State Park, Badlands National Park, and Mount Rushmore -- all in 3 days. We came home exhausted, grimy, and $62 poorer due to a nit-picky Wyoming cop (6mph over?! Really?!), but we had a great time.

Badlands

Custer State Park buffalo

We've also gotten in two good Colorado hikes so far this summer. Colorado summers are my favorite (minus the fact that our state is a tinderbox this year).

Hiking to Murray Lake.

Not having much fun on the way down, thanks to the snow.

Mt. Evans Ascent. 14er number six!

Summit!

So...yeah. Nothing too exciting, I guess. At least not compared to the posts where I was galavanting about Antarctica. :)

Peace, love, & summertime!

Wrapping Things Up.

It's my last week with the Polar Program, and I have so many mixed emotions about it. I am so thankful for what this job has done for me, yet I feel deep down like it's not the right place for me to be.

This job allowed me to move to Denver, which has proven to be one of the biggest blessings in my life. I am in love with this city, with this state, and I feel that there is absolutely no better place for us to be than right here. We have experienced so much beauty here -- not only in the mountains and breathtaking landscape, but also in the friends we've made and the relationships we've formed. We're so blessed to have found Denver Pres, and we just cannot believe how incredible the community is there. What we love about it is that it is real community made up of real people. People who aren't afraid to talk about the hard stuff in life, and who aren't afraid to expose their failures. People who really desire to pursue the Lord, and who desire for us to know him better too. People who will go out of their way to help us, like our friends that picked us up from the airport, bought us groceries AND made us dinner the night we got home from New Zealand. Plus, it is a community who likes beer and wine, which makes retreats and get-togethers really fun. :)

This job also allowed me to establish a career, which is something I'm so thankful for. I've always been envious of those who know exactly what they want to do or be when they grow up, because I've never had an inkling of what I wanted to pursue as a career. I've had lots of ideas -- everything from a physical therapist to a lawyer to an architect -- but nothing in particular ever emerged as my "calling." While that has been frustrating, it has also been a blessing in disguise. You see, I'm a Type-A person who needs to control every aspect of my life. Usually a good thing, because it makes me really organized and very disciplined. However, not having control over my career has been a difficult exercise in faith, and I think God's used it to teach me about trust. Did I ever want to work in HR? Nope, not really. But after being in this line of work for a year and a half, I actually see how it is a really good fit for me, and how God kind of just plunked me down into it because I'm good at it. I'm a people-pleaser (again, sometimes a fault), but I love helping people, I love the customer service aspect of HR, and I love the challenges that HR can bring (read: employee relations). Who knows what will happen, but I'm really glad that I landed where I did!

This job also got me on a sweet trip to Antarctica and New Zealand. I don't really think I need to say much else about that. :)

I'm so grateful for my experience with the Polar Program. But, I do feel like it's time to move on, and I'm so thankful that God opened up a door with Arcadis. Can't wait to begin the next leg of the journey!

Peace, Love, and NextSteps.

Party Like It's 1999.

So, I was thinking today.

Per my last blog post, you're probably shocked. I understand that.

So when January 1, 2012 rolls around, I will be two days into my "On Ice" experience. Given that I will probably be doing more scrambling/dashing/scurrying (read: trying to make sense of my new surroundings far away from all civilization) than actual rational thinking, I figured I should go ahead and write up my New Year's resolutions.

So, here we go.

• Crochet an afghan
• Read 52 books, one for each week of the year:
1. The Help (Kathryn Stockett)
2. A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Child Soldier (Ishmael Beah)
3. Island of the Blue Dolphins (Scott O'Dell)
4. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (Mark Haddan)
5. Animal Farm (George Orwell)
6. Halfway to Heaven: My White-Knuckled--and Knuckleheaded--Quest for the Rocky Mountain High  (Mark Obmascik)
7. Play It As It Lays (Joan Didion)
8. Crazy Love (Francis Chan)
9. Memoirs of a Geisha (Arthur Golden)
10. Of Mice and Men (John Steinbeck)
11. Cry, the Beloved Country (Alan Paton)
12. Water for Elephants (Sara Gruen)
13. Traveling Mercies (Anne Lammott)
14. Schindler's List (Thomas Keneally)
15. The Hunger Games (Suzanne Collins)...a little bit embarrassed to say I read it. A little bit proud to say that having read it, I don't understand the hype and I kind of thought it was silly.
16. Daniel (Henning Mankell)
17. The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie (Alan Bradley)
18. The Great Divorce (CS Lewis)
19. Bossypants (Tina Fey)
20. Even Silence Has an End (Ingrid Bentancourt)
21. Love Wins (Rob Bell)
22. Girl with a Pearl Earring (Tracy Chevalier)
23. The Kitchen House (Kathleen Grissom)
• Hike five more 14ers
1. Mt. Evans (6/24/12)
2. Grays Peak (7/4/12)
3. Torreys Peak (7/4/12)
4. Missouri Mountain (7/29/12)
5. Mt. Democrat (8/4/12)
6. Mt. Lincoln (8/4/12)
7. Mt. Bross (8/4/12)
• Run two 5ks and one 10k
• 10k: McMurdo Station Scott Hut Run
• Travel New Zealand...... :) 

That's all I can think of for now. Maybe I'll post more as I think of them.

Peace, Love, & StickingToMyGoals.

Simple.

Two words can describe my weekend: thankful & joyful. 

On Saturday morning, when I had to be at work at 7am, Mike got up with me and made me a cup of coffee. So simple, but so sweet. He didn't need to get up early on his day off!

On Saturday afternoon, I got the sudden urge to bake cupcakes. (Like, a LOT of cupcakes. So many that I had to give a lot away.) The recipe was awesome and they turned out great even at altitude, and I really did enjoy giving them out to friends. Being thankful for something as simple as cupcakes might seem odd, but delicious food is something I take for granted. There are so many people in the world who don't have the luxury of being able to bake or eat yummy food, so I'm thankful for never knowing the pain of hunger. (Click here to read about a project that our church took part in to help feed those in need. I couldn't go because I had to work -- see above -- but it's an awesome organization!)

On Saturday evening, when I was sleepy and cranky after working and baking absurd amounts of cupcakes, Mike made me get up and go on a walk at Castlewood Canyon State Park. There were no dramatic peaks, but it was so peaceful, and it made me so glad to live in Colorado. Thanks, hubs, for getting me off the couch! 

On Sunday afternoon, we hung out with friends from church, and I was so grateful for and excited about the community we've built and the relationships we've developed. The people of Denver Pres are awesome, and have blessed us in so many ways.

And last but not least....it looks like the Cards are going to the World Series. :) 

Peace, love, & LotsOfCupcakes!

Yellow.

Going to the Maroon Bells during the fall has been *starred*, underlined, and bolded on my Colorado bucket list for quite some time now. Like, I've REALLY wanted to go.

So I've been keeping tabs on the aspens and watching for the peak of their color so that we could maximize the spectacular-ness of the Bells. We decided that this weekend would be perfect, that we'd set out Friday night, car camp somewhere along the way to Aspen, and get to the Bells early in the morning before the throngs of tourists arrived. 

Usually I'm an excellent trip planner (it's in the genes I think), so I had no worries about the overnight trip. Until I did something very stupid, which I didn't realize until we were about 45 minutes outside of Denver.

I. Left. My. Camera. 

I immediately started bawling in the car, because it had already been a long week, and I had asked Mike to go running around Denver grabbing the extra things we needed for the trip (gallon of water, Everything bagels, fill up the car, etc.). So I felt terrible for inflicting such annoyances on Mike in a rush to get to the Bells, when in the end I was the dumb one. And I knew I couldn't go to the Bells without my camera, with it being the most photographed place in Colorado! Mike was super sweet though, somehow managed to stop the tears, and convinced me that it would be much better if we just left early in the morning and grabbed some delicious Winchell's donuts and coffee for the car ride to Aspen. 

He was right :) 

We woke up at 4am, were out the door by 5, with deep-fried apple fritters, donut holes, and coffee in hand. We arrived at the Maroon Bells at 8:30, and the rest of the day was history. The aspens were indescribably yellow -- one of my favorite parts of the day was just walking on the path through the trees, feeling like I was drenched in yellow. The Bells were spectacular, majestic, incredible, and every other synonym of those words I can think of. It was definitely worth the starring, underlining, and bolding I did on my list. :) 

Crater Lake

The ghost town of Ashcroft. This was one of 20 saloons in a town of only 2,500! (only two are still standing)

The post office

A sign in Aspen that had my full name on, spelled correctly and everything!

Peace, Love, & Yellow. 

Thankful.

Today was a long day.

A very, very long day. 

So, to counteract the negativity surrounding my day, I'm going to list 12 things I am thankful for (one for every hour that I worked). 

1. I'm thankful that I am finally starting to enjoy my morning cup of joe.

2. I'm thankful for my an incredible husband who showers me with love and grace.

3. I'm thankful that I have a roof over my head. 

4. I'm thankful for my job and the opportunity to go to the bottom of the world.

5. I'm thankful that someone invented wine.

6. I'm thankful for my family and all of their support, even from miles away.

7. I'm thankful that snowboard season is almost here. I'm ready to shred.

8. I'm thankful for deliciously fattening queso dip.

9. I'm thankful that I'm finally getting used to my new last name.

10. I'm thankful for the simple fact that I don't have to save myself.

11. I'm thankful that one of two high altitude baking attempts actually worked this week.

12. I'm thankful for my new green yoga mat.

What are you on?

So I finally joined 24-Hour Fitness. I've been putting it off mostly because I don't feel like throwing $30 a month away when we could be putting it towards our future home. But, I get a discount with Raytheon so I decided to go ahead and join.

And today, when I walked in, I was annoyed. Immediately.

I know not all people who work out are macho meat-head weight lifters. But SERIOUSLY. They overtake the gym with their huge muscles and it annoys me. I mean, it's really impressive that you're lifting a weight twice the size of my head, but I am perfectly content with curling 15 pounds and I don't need you STARING AT ME, thankyouverymuch.

So then, after two arm exercises, I decided I couldn't take it anymore and went upstairs to get some cardio in. I jumped on the treadmill, but the sweat-drenched man next to me was flicking perspiration on me, so I only lasted a mile. Then I decided to bike. Biking is fun. And people on bikes don't flick sweat nearly as bad. So I started pedaling, and all of a sudden something caught my eye. You see, the gym that I go to is somehow linked to Lance Armstrong (I'm not sure how, I've only been there once, obviously). So Lance's face is pretty much plastered all over the place, which is fine I guess. I'd rather it be Derek Jeter........

*sigh*

Anyway, so next to a giant photo of Lance is a quote from the biker:

"This is my body, and I can do whatever I want to it. I can push it; study it; tweak it; listen to it. Everybody wants to know what I am on. What am I on? I am on my bike busting my ass six hours a day; what are YOU on?"  

And all of a sudden, I had a total change of heart. Because I realized that the reason I'm at this smelly gym is so that I can push myself doing the things I love. Because, Mr. Armstrong, I'm on top of mountains. I'm on a snowboard. I'm on a running path high above sea level.  I'm on a trail leading up to a tucked-away turquoise waterfall. And I guess I can bust my ass at the gym so that I can be even better at climbing 14ers and shredding down the slopes. 

So fine. All you smelly, pump-you-up dudes can stick around. I'm just going to do my own thing. And I'll probably ignore you. But at least I know that I've climbed to the top of Colorado...and that's all that matters to me. :)

Peace, love & AnnoyingMachoMen.

7 Days.

In the past seven days, I...

...read this book in one sitting. Following the near-death experience of a 4 year-old child in emergency surgery, this book is seriously a very good read. Regardless of whether or not you believe in life after death, it certainly gets you thinking about what happens when we die. I started the book a little skeptical, not really sure what to think about claims of visiting heaven and seeing Jesus. However, I finished it pretty convinced that this child experienced something very real. Obviously, no one can ever know what happened. But as a Christian, I believe in divine intervention and in the reality of heaven -- and this book certainly convicted me of whether or not my life really reflects those beliefs. 

...hiked to this waterfall. Our friend David came in town over the weekend, and we managed to work in an overnight camping trip to Glenwood Springs. Hanging Lake (above) is in the area, and I'm so glad we made it! It was gorgeous!

...purchased a mountain car! Mike and I are the loving parents of a new (used) 2002 Subaru Outback, and we couldn't be more excited! Now we won't have to call AAA when we can't get out of a parking spot in Keystone in the dead of winter at 5am. Yes, that almost happened. (Thank you to the random stranger that helped push us out -- we still owe you)

In the past 7 days, I also managed to spill my Iced Skinny Caramel Macchiato all over my work pants, eat 15 mini Reese's in one day, and rack up 50 cents in library overdue fees. 

Peace, love, & ReallyExcitingWeeks.

Bierstadt & BBQ

Second 14er: complete!

Along with our friend Stacy, Mike and I made it up another 14er! Mt. Bierstadt is now checked off, and it was absolutely breathtaking (in terms of scenery as well as what it did to our lungs). I didn't like Quandary all that much, mostly because of the hoards of people that accompanied us on our trek, but Bierstadt was a completely different experience.

We started out at 6am, and watching the sun come up over the Sawtooth Ridge was incredible. It didn't just slowly rise over the mountains, but it broke through with full force and drenched us in light. It was wonderful.

There's something about being out on a mountain, experiencing nature in its rawest form -- smelling the evergreens, climbing over boulders, tiptoeing over streams -- it just fills you with an incredible sense of wonder and adventure, but also with a sense of smallness. So often I get so caught up in bills, lists, and timecards that I forget how big God is, and how wonderful a world he made for us to enjoy -- but also to respect and marvel at. Because I don't know about you, but I think that Sawtooth looks intimidating, and I wouldn't want to be caught on it!

We finished up our afternoon with amazing barbeque in Idaho Springs, mostly because Stacy and Mike were craving sweet potato fries and talked about them the entire way up the mountain (in between singing Elton John's "Benny and the Jetts" and "Rocketman"). I have entertaining people in my life :)

Hope everyone has a great week -- remember to smile and to have fun! And if all else fails, try singing "Benny and the Jetts" when the day gets rough.

Peace, love, & Elton John.

Quandary.

Well, we are officially Coloradoans. Why?

1) Mike has lived here for a year now (and I'm not far behind him!)
2) We conquered our first 14er

After hearing chatter about "peakbagging" and climbing 14ers, we decided we should probably attempt one. We did some research, and read that Quandary Peak, near Breckenridge, was an "easy" one to begin with. So we booked a campsite at Prospector Campground (just so we could use our sweet new tent), bought some trail mix, and went for it.

Dillon Reservoir on our way to the campground. God can make some pretty cool things.

About 8am or so, almost halfway up! I would also like to point out that I started this hike out with my ponytail in the middle of my head. By the time we reached the summit, it was a side pony because of the insane wind.

I was really excited about maybe seeing mountain goats...and we did :) This guy came down the trail like he owned it...which I guess he did, because we all got out of the way.

He really was this close! I wasn't zoomed in at all. 

Summit! 

This one is for you, Mom and Dad! One time, you made it to 12,005 feet at RMNP...now a little part of you has made it to 14,265 feet! (I mean the t-shirt, not the fact that I carry your genes)

So, we bagged one peak! I have to say that I have never been more winded in my life, nor have I ever resented my asthma as much as I did during our nearly 7 mile hike. But, the Walls are on the register at the summit, and that's what counts. I can't say that I fell in love with doing 14ers, but I do like a challenge (see Slacker post) and so I'm sure we'll do more of them in the future. 

Also, I have the best husband ever who agreed not to camp the second night (I don't sleep well in tents), took me out for Mexican/a giant margarita, and then took me to see Harry Potter. 

Peace, love & mountain goats.