No Pain, No Gain

Groggy-eyed and weary, I climbed out of bed after my mom gently woke me up from a mere 5 hours of sleep on Saturday morning at 4:00am. My body certainly didn't feel rested and the thought of returning to my bed after quietly brushing my teeth and changing into my running clothes was all too appealing. Nevertheless, I made my bed, grabbed my shoes, filled up my water bottle, and headed out the door with my mom. She drove while I flipped through upbeat oldie songs on my ipod and tried to jam out and keep us awake as we wound our way through the dark turns of Logan Canyon. 

The hour and a half drive from our cabin to the starting line seemed to take forever as my anticipation mounted. Once we arrived by the finish line, we parked our car as close as we could to where the buses pick up the thousands of crazy runners just like us. Tired and hungry, we each stuffed a Cliff Bar into our mouths as we made our way past the lines to the buses to pick up our race packets. We evaluated the goods of our packets, attached our bib numbers, made a quick bathroom stop, and then joined the line to board the buses. The short ride up the canyon to the starting line was over too quickly and then the waiting game began as we stood outside in the frigid  morning air debating which clothing items we would ditch in the clothing bus and which items we would be willing to wrap around our waists as we ran. We hit the bathroom lines two more times, just to be safe, and then headed up to the start line right before 7:00am.

The space around us became densely packed with people talking loudly with excitement, adjusting their ipods and head phones, and jumping up and down to keep their legs warm. My mom turned to me and said, "Good luck, see you at the bottom," and before I knew it, the gun had gone off and everybody was moving. We were off, ready to conquer the next 13.1 miles of road before us like the crazy people we are.

Despite my hip problems, I kept a great pace-- faster than my mom even-- for the first 6 miles; but by the time I passed the second water station, my mom had passed me up and my mind was completely focused on working through the pain of my grinding hip to keep my feet moving forward. Although the sporadic rain and cloud cover kept the temperatures pleasant, my pain made me want to give up at times. By mile 9, I had to stop for a bathroom break, stretch, and give my hip a minute to rest. The pain seemed to be worse than ever before, but I knew that my pace had been good and I was making my best time ever; I knew I had to push through to make my goal. Starting back into a running step was hard after my pit stop was difficult, but one of the good things about a race is that the people around you are there to encourage you. If I walk for a second, there is always someone there to come along and give you the motivation to pick up the pace once again.

By mile 11, all I could think was, "2 more miles, then my hip can break if it wants. Just keep going until then." Once mile 13 came along, I could see the finish line in the distance and my adrenaline kicked in like clockwork. A half a mile out from the finish, I saw my mom running towards me. She had finished already, but had come back to encourage me along. Once we got to the side barriers where the road is packed with race watchers, my mom ducked off the path to let me cross the finish line. A woman running next to me said that we should dig deep and sprint across, so we accelerated our footfalls, matched our rhythm, and ran towards the line like our lives depended on it. We crossed the line with smiles on our faces and then proceeded to hug like we were old friends; congratulating one another on reaching our goal and fighting through the pain. Once our medals had been placed around our necks, we said goodbye and parted ways. 

(I do not own this picture, it is a screen shot of an official race photo)

I wen to find my mom and together we joined the other tired runners as the kind volunteers served us Great Harvest Bread, chocolate milk, and fruit. Food always tastes better after running 13.1 miles. 

After checking our times to confirm that we had both done our best, my mom and I picked up our clothing bags and headed out. I was proud to have finished my third half-marathon, and my mom was proud to have beat her slower paces of recent years past. It was an excellent morning.

Due to the unfortunate state of the weather, we were unable to water ski upon our return to the cabin like we normally do. I am fully convinced that the best way to recover from a long run is to jump in the cold lake water and make use of a whole different set of muscles by water skiing and surfing all afternoon. This year was the first time I have ever been sore after a race and I know it must be because I was stuck inside all day long after the race.

Luckily, thanks to the generosity of my mom, my soreness was awarded with my favorite frosted cake as part of a late birthday celebration. I love Marzipan frosting! Eating a large slice of cake while watching The Secret Life of Walter Mitty with so many of the people I love was a great way to end my birthday week.

I endured the pain, and I have to say, I gained enough to make it worth it. Pride in a new self record, time with my mom, time with my family, and freaking Marzipan cake! Well worth it.

Internet Truths from the Late Night Hours

Sometimes, late at night, when I feel like the idea of sleep is a far off and foreign concept that my body is refusing to accept, or even attempt, I often take to exploring cheesy quizzes on the internet. Usually the quizzes involve testing my literary or film knowledge; particularly things relating to the Harry Potter series or the Disney Masterpiece Classics. Sometimes, however, I like to google for the most popular quizzes of the week and see how I fair on the things that the rest of the "Late night Googler" world does.
My most recent late night Google quiz involved asking the question, "Why am I still single?"
I am not overly concerned with my single status; in fact I am usually quite happy about it because of the freedom it allows me to do what I want when I want. However, like all young single adults, I often wonder at why I am still single when it often feels like something I haven't completely committed to choosing.
This was the internet's answer for why I am still single:

Why am I still single?

Hello to Ms. Independent! You are confident, happy, and you radiate. Tons of guys like you; you don't even know it. You probably just think they're your guy friends. You probably don't have any idea when a guy likes you; you spend so much time shining on in your own unique way, that when a guy likes you, he could beg and you still might not get it. You are brilliant and there is no one else in this world like you; you are probably the dream girl of many guys. But slow down to focus on them, and give them special attention, before you automatically decide that it's not worth your time. You'll find someone soon.

Take this quiz: Why am I still single?


The internet might not always be right, but I kind of like this answer-- even if it's not completely accurate-- so I think I will accept it for now; even if only to make myself feel better about wasting time on the internet instead of being productive during one of my insomniac moments.

A Window's View

Back a while (I think I mentioned it), I took the opportunity to do a cross-country road trip with my sister Chelsi. It wasn't a long trip, full of countless stops at historical sights and back roads to get to the "hidden gems" of each unique state; I knew it wouldn't be when I agreed to go. It was more of a, drive as fast as you can across eight whole states because there are 4 kids in the car who aren't going to last more than two days in travel mode kind of trip. Although it wasn't exactly what I pictured my first cross-country road trip as being, it actually turned out to be a cool experience.
There is something to be said for the unique beauty of the vast spaces of land in this country and all of the areas that are not considered the "hip" or "happening" places. Witnessing the change; from dense forest trees, rolling hills, narrow roads, and old fashioned farms; to endless rows of corn, clear blue skies that seem to extend beyond the horizon, industrial farm equipment, and the occasional clump of houses; to desert-like rolling meadows of wild grasses and sage brush where the populous cows and horses claim the land; to the majestic mountains that rise abruptly out of the smooth open fields to stand tall as the conquering rock giants of the west; confirms my belief that this must be the most geographically diverse nation on earth. It is certainly one of the most beautiful.
Although the massive amounts of overproduced corn for the use of environmentally harmful products-- not to mention all of the unhealthy corn products we consume-- tends to put a slight damper on the open beauty that makes up nearly the entire middle potion of the country (about 5 states), I am very glad that I got to witness such a unique view of the country. Letting more than 2,000 miles pass by with a view limited to that of a car window flying down the highway at 80 miles per hour might not sound like an ideal vacation, but it certainly isn't one that should be overlooked. It was beautiful. Simply beautiful.
The next time I decide to take a road trip, I think I will leave out the four kids and try to visit some of those "hidden gems." For now however, I am satisfied to know that I had a great experience with my wonderful sister, her four kids, many mile of road, and a window with a view of the whole country!

Memories: Two Sisters and a Whole Slew of Fun

As Have I ever mentioned that I seriously love my family?!
I do. It's simply the truth. They are the most amazing people and my biggest influences!
In particular, I would like to mention how much I love my amazing eldest sister Brittani. Although there are almost 13 years between us, and she has lived in a different state than me for most of my life, she never ceases to be one of my best friends. From the time I was born, she and I had a special bond that has influenced me greatly in all that I am and all that I do.
I mention her today, because of the beautiful post she sent me on Facebook for my birthday; which reads as follows:

Happy birthday to the sunshine of my life! You were born when I was twelve, and have been the sunniest thing in our family ever since. Twenty-four favorite fun-facts/memories of you:
1. I tried to convince mom to name you Anika Aubrey. I'm glad she didn't listen to me.
2. You used to bring your stuffed animals in to snuggle with me.
3. You used to sneak into my bedroom to sleep ALL THE TIME. I loved it.
4. Mom and dad would let me go practically anywhere at any hour if I took you with me.
5. I used to choose your clothes and curl your hair for church on Sundays. Man, you had the cutest clothes.
6. I used to volunteer to "take you out" during sacrament meeting so I could go chat with friends in the foyer.
7. You could recite EVERY LINE of EVERY MOVIE by the time you were about 3. I guess mom's super-strict TV rules never trickled down to you.
8. You used to spend hours playing in the little puddles at Bear Lake, and yet you never seemed to get sunburned.
9. All my friends loved you.
10. We loved taking you to movies and to get frozen yogurt with you.
11. You had the cutest, most gravelly little voice.
12. You understand that Reading Books is serious business.
13. You understand that boys are not such serious business.
14. Your middle name is Ambition. I think. Or some other descriptor that fits you far less suitably.
15. You're the smartest sister. Don't tell the others I said so.
16. You're the most fun to talk about books with. And the only one who has a quick answer when I ask everyone about their best book of the year.
17. You're not afraid to show/share emotion. This world would be a lot more navigable if others followed your lead.
18. You always find the bright side of every situation, and you show it to others.
19. You have the best laugh.
20. You know how to make everyone else laugh.
21. You march to the tune of your own drummer (didn't you just watch Dead Poets Society? So did I--thought of you).
22. You don't waste (much) time on things that don't matter.
23. You work hard and you play hard.
24. You have great things ahead of you! I love watching them unfold.

end of facebook post

As the single subject of my college entrance essays five years ago, I think it is safe to say that my biggest sister has had an amazing influence on my life, and I am so thankful for her everyday!
Love you Brit!

Pitter Patter: Thoughts on Running as I prepare for my 3rd Half-Marathon

Running is just something that I do.
I am not crazy fast (unless sprinting a mile or less-- preferably less), and I do not by any means have the best endurance. I have never run more than 14 miles at one time and although I do hope to run at least one full marathon in my lifetime, I haven't worked up the will-power to do so... yet. Running is something that I do because I genuinely enjoy it. It is good exercise, of course, but in my world, there are a lot of things I could do and often choose to do besides running that are good exercise as well. Running to me isn't so much about the exercise part though. Although it is most certainly (especially when doing long distance runs) a strenuous physical activity, it is more about the mental side of things for me.
Anyone who has run more than about five miles will probably agree. A lot of what gets a person to run, and to keep running, is their mental ability to overcome thoughts of defeat, exhaustion, physical pains and aches, and the desire to just slow down and walk. Maybe it doesn't sound so hard, but as a person who, once upon a time, believed it was impossible to run more than two miles, I can definitely say that mental strength is at least half of the battle with running; maybe more.
I usually choose to run in the morning. I think my brain works better in the morning. When the air is crisp from a long desert night, and hardly anyone else is awake, it somehow becomes easier for my brain to overcome the negative thoughts that come along when trying to push my body to new limits. With just the sound of my feet lightly hitting the pavement one after the other, I find a pleasant rhythm that seems to put every part of my body into sync and before I know it, my brain is busy thinking through daily emotions and life problems while my body continues forward; almost as if propelled by the turning wheels in my head. In this way, I think running keeps me sane. Running gives my body the time it needs to reset itself and make sure all the different muscles, nerves, joints, etc. are still working together to keep me alive and functioning; it gives me the time I need to think, about everything that I spend my normal hours trying to ignore; it gives me a sense of accomplishment and strength; it makes me feel bold and outgoing; but most of all, it makes me feel like I am in control of my body and my life, which makes me happy.
This coming Saturday, I get to reassert my control with a 13.1 mile run surrounded by hundreds of other people who likely feel the same way I do about running. Although I don't typically like to run with tons of people all around me, there is something beautiful about so many individuals coming together and performing the same activity, mostly for the same purpose; especially when it is an activity not so easily accomplished. It may not be a Full-Marathon, but a Half-Marathon is no small feat; it takes just as much dedication, mental and physical strength, and will-power. Doing a Half-Marathon at the end of summer is something that I have begun to look forward to every year. It feels like the best way possible to bring a summer full of activity to a close and positively welcome the challenge of continuing to exercise and be active throughout the cold winter months.
I know that running isn't necessarily for everyone; but there was a time in my life when I thought that it wasn't for me, and now, looking back, I can't believe I didn't realize how beautiful something so simple and natural could be. I wish I had realized it sooner because that might mean that I would have already run a Full-Marathon and overcome a whole new level of mental and physical limits. I encourage anyone who is has a desire, or even a small interest in running to give it a try; it might turn out to be really worth it. Just remember, it will always be difficult for both the mind and the body, but the rewards will come; just keep putting one foot down in front of the other and let your body and mind find a rhythm to drive you forward.

Juicing the Day Away

No matter what, August always seems to be my month of "un-healthy" living. In general, I like to think I am a healthy person because I live by an "all things in moderation" motto. I am never afraid to indulge in a late night snack of ice-cream, fries, or other less than natural items; however, I refrain from doing so on an EVERYday basis and try to make sure to always counter such food-scapades with a good workout the following morning. I am a good girl, who tries to get my recommended daily dose of fruits and vegetables; however, when August roles around, I become a snack food beast! Perhaps it is due to the fact that August is my birthday month, or the fact that the thought of Autumn gets my brain focused on all of the tasty flavors the late season has to offer; I'm not really sure; either way, my crap-food cravings increase almost ten fold.
This year, in an effort to break the cycle, as well a better help prepare myself for my third half-marathon which I will be running at the end of this month, I decided to try a one day juice cleanse.
I know what you are thinking. A juice cleanse, seriously? Haven't studies shown that those are bad for you?...Etc, Etc.
Well, before anybody gets to being judge-y, let me explain my thinking.
I know that right now, juice cleanses are the trendy thing to do to lose weight and such, but that isn't why I am doing it. I'm not trying to lose weight. I am trying to convince my body that it would rather have healthy, everyday foods rather than the processed junk available in air-tight sealed bags with extra cholesterol and trans fats that it seems to be craving. I am also trying to give my digestive system a chance to clean out any unwanted junk and in a sense "revitalize" the whole digestion process. I am only doing it for one day (which is the normal time of a monthly fast), and I am making sure to drink a well balanced variety of juices to make sure my body gets regular nutrients still.
Rather than taking on the hassle of buying a bunch of fruits and vegetables and trying to mix up a blend of drinkable juices throughout the day, I opted to buy some pre-made juices from a reputable company with more knowledge about balanced nutrition than I have stored in my noggin. After a little Google powered research, I decided to order from a local company called Just Organic Juice. You can look at their website and all they have to offer Here. They have a variety of options and juices to choose from; plus they deliver for free within a ten-mile radius (lucky me for living so close). I ordered their 1-Day cleanse plan which includes 6 different bottles of juices which they conveniently number label so you know the order in which to drink them. Each one is tasty and unique. The variety and sweet, yet healthy flavor combinations keep me interested, rather than bored, and-- now this is me being absolutely honest-- feeling full all day long.
Of course I am looking forward to the return of chewable food for breakfast tomorrow, but one day of just juice has actually proven to be rather wonderful. I feel healthy, I feel that my digestive system has received a much deserved break, and the best part; I haven't had a craving for fries, Hot Cheetos, or  any of my sweets vices. Overall, I'd say my little experiment went quite well it feels fairly beneficial.
I probably wouldn't recommend anything longer than a single day Juice Cleanse, but that might just be my munch-happy mouth talking. I'll admit it, I like being able to chew my food. So while I probably won't make juicing a weekly practice, I think that a day of just juice every couple of months or so might be just the thing to help anyone in  need of a jump-start into a healthier routine.

There's Nothing Wrong With Being Highly Selective...and Awesome

I have come to realize lately, that all of my friends from high school are married and having children. It's not a bad thing, it's great actually; the only problem is that it often leaves me with no one but married people to spend my time with. I have some single friends as well of course, but as one of the only single people left in a rather large group of friends that I grew up with, sometimes, what I like to call "single guilt" gets to me. In a nut shell, "single guilt," is the many emotions that come about when a single person spends too much time with married people, and not enough time with other happy single people. As an ode to myself, and other single people in my same situation, I have decided to write a (hopefully) comic description about what it is like to be one of the few single people in a group of married friends. To anyone out there in the same position as me, I hope this gives you a good laugh and lets you know you aren't alone...

When someone asks me why I am not currently dating someone, I'm just like:

But behind closed doors, it's like:

Good friends will try to tell me:

But I'm like: So.....

With the guys I do want to date, it's like:

Then of course when I get a chance to talk to one of them, I'm like:

I keep telling myself:

But when it doesn't work out and people try to ask me if I'm okay being alone, I'm just like:

And they can never really question that because:

Horsin' Around up in Oakley Town

One of the best things about my sister Chelsi and her family coming to town is that it usually means we get to go hang out at her husband's family's cabin; which is conveniently located on the most beautiful ranch near the Oakley, UT area.
I'll admit it, I am a sucker for anything reminiscent of the old west. I love horses, boots, fires, acres of land, mountains, and just about everything else involved with ranch style living. The Dixie Chick's song "Cowboy Take Me Away," sometimes feels like my fantasy theme song. In other words, hanging out on the ranch is my idea of a good time.
This year, we only got to be up there for one evening- thanks to my newly acquired role as a full on adult with a full time job and student loans to pay off- so we made sure to make the most of it. My brother Howard and I headed up on Monday evening as soon as I got off work. The drive was of course amazingly beautiful; going up through Park City and Brown's Canyon never fails to delight the eye, and the sweet sounds of Etta and Louis blasting through my brother's speakers delighted my ears the whole way there. Once we got to the ranch, we helped saddle up the horses and took the nieces and nephews for some little walking rides around the main pasture.
As near horse experts at the ages of 6, 4, and 3, not a single moment of dullness is to be had with my sister's red headed crazy children around. I sure do love those children and all of the cuteness their tiny little faces possess.

Once we got the horses all saddled and ready to go, my brother-in-law, Sam, led us off into the beautiful mountainsides that surround the ranch. We trotted along through little creek beds, lush hills of quaking aspens (my very favorite type of tree), little fishing lakes, and rolling fields of late summer wild flowers. With the sky covered in ominous clouds, all the plants had a deep shadow cast over them that seems to make everything more alive, as if reaching towards the clouds above and beckoning for the inevitable rain to being its decent. Luckily for us, the rain held off until we had made our way back to the cabin for dinner. 

Back at the cabin, my sister had a wonderful meal of ribs, fruit, avocado salsa, and chips waiting for us. It was a perfectly savory, western style dinner to end a perfectly gorgeous and western night with the horses. After saying goodnight to the horses, eating our fill of good food, and playing a bit more with the children, Howard and I said our goodbyes and headed back towards the city. The rain caught up to us on the drive down the canyons and by the time we reached the valley, it smelled almost as fresh and clean as the hills we had left behind. 

I don't look forward to having to wait another year to get up there in the hills with the horses, but I guess it is better than not getting to go at all...

Thanks for the fun times Sam and Chels!

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A Few of my Favorite Things

A midst the rare but daily moments of boredom at work, I tend to let my mind drift into the untamed universe of my imagination to keep myself occupied and make sure that time is indeed moving. My imagination has many different caverns of thought, many of which have become comfortable and familiar daydreams involving future plans for my career, home-life, travels, and a plethora of other ideas of my might-be life. Recently-whether due to the constant talk of food and restaurants that is the essential "water-cooler" talk in my office, or due to my own subconscious cravings- I have been daydreaming mostly about all of my favorite treats. I have been told that my taste in treats, much like my taste in music, is rather jumbled. I like a little bit of everything from every flavor and texture category possible. My tastes are essentially a little bit eclectic. Many of my favorites are a little old fashioned, but overall, I find that they all blend well to describe my overall range of candy interests. Here is the list:

-Aussie Style Black Licorice

-Caramel Apple Pops

-Sour Patch Watermelons

-Reeses Peanut Butter Cups

-Werther's Original

-Astronaut Ice Cream

-Baby Ruth (fun size)

-Chocolate Rocks

-Pretzel M&Ms

I have been working on fulfilling my cravings slowly-one candy a day style- so as not to overindulge and over do it with my sugar intake; but the daydreams about having all of them temptingly in front of me just don't want to go away. However, with my birthday coming up, I am hoping one or more people will take interest in my daydreams and provide me with a candy care package of sorts to help curb my cravings. A girl can dream right?

Feeling Whimsical

I have been inspired as of late by the great beauty of the amazing west in which I live and I feel it is appropriate to include a little photo tribute to my recent nostalgic mood and positive outlook on my current state and situation in life.

There are times in life when the weight of the world seems to be crushing down with the force of ten thousand soldiers. Life can seem too difficult to bear at times, but it is in these moments when it is important to recognize the beauty all around us. There is the raw beauty of nature, light against the dark, each individual person who is completely different than every other one, moments in time that can move quickly by and yet seem to stand still. If we take the time to recognize all the goodness that exists and flourishes in spite of all the bad, we can begin to nourish a seed of hope. Through hope, optimism is not a far fetched concept and life can suddenly feel beautiful and simple all over again; then before we realize the change, our burden has been lifted by the strength our hope created. 

Never underestimate the power of nature.

"Live in each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit."

-Henry David Thoreau

Back to Reality, Eyre Style

Coming home from a mission early is something no one in my family had done before. It was a new experience for all of us, but one that I think we all handled quite well. Our solution for any discomfort, and to prevent me from having a difficult transition back to everyday life, was to throw me back into everything I love. I think it worked perfectly.

My first week back home was a little strange, mostly because my family had moved right before I returned. I came home to a house I had never lived in, but it only took about two days to feel at home. My mom and Don moved into a house back in the neighborhood where I grew up, so after a couple of morning runs around the old hood coupled with some personal touches to my new dwelling space, I felt like my best self. 

Then came the weekend, which meant we headed up to our cabin at my favorite place on earth! If there is anything that can snap me back to reality quickly, it is water skiing at Bear Lake! We were accompanied by some old friends and got right on the water. Despite the rather rainy state of the weekend, we made the most of it by skiing hard on the morning glass and hiking up to Bloomington Lake in a thunder and rainstorm. 

Family time up at the cabin the weeks following my first weekend back were constant and always enjoyable. I spent the weekdays scouring the internet and filling out endless job applications and then de-stressed on the weekends by skiing and hanging out with my nieces and nephews. Swiftly after I landed a job, we had our Hooper family reunion. It was so great to have all of my sisters and their kids in town in addition to so many wonderful cousins that I rarely get to see. It was a wonderful weekend of family fun on the lake.

Summer months with family feel like the best thing ever, especially after not seeing my family for five months. 

With a secure job, a happy new home, and a great new ward, life has settled into a happy state for me here in Utah. I can feel that the travel bug is creeping up on my again slowly, but I am excited to make the most of this beautiful state while I am here and make some good and much needed money in the meantime.

Playing Catch-Up: D.C. to Philly to New York to Philly

If a week long adventure to California wasn't enough to make my December exciting, I threw in a trip to the east coast to visit family and secure my visa for Ecuador to make things really exciting.
My trip started off in D.C. where after waiting at the Ecuadorian Consulate for three hours to get my visa, I was able to roam happily around the best parts of D.C. My self guided tour began with the White House, circled around the entire National Mall, took a little detour into the Holocaust museum and ended up at the Capitol where I jumped in for the last tour of the day. I was grateful to have the help of my wonderful cousin Eli who picked me up from the airport, took me out to dinner, and dropped me at the bus station at the end of the day.

After a fun-filled day in D.C. I climbed on a bus and headed to Philly. My sister Chelsi lives there and she was kind enough to let me come and explore the wonderful historic streets of our nation's birthplace. We spent a couple of days just hanging out and exploring the little town Bluebell, just outside of Philly, where she lives. We then took a last minute trip up to New York City. It was wonderful to see NYC in the midst of a warm spell in December. It gave us a change to visit the beautiful Manhattan temple as well as comfortably explore the city with four little children tagging along without the trouble of snow. We tried to just hit the main sites close to us because we didn't have a ton of time, but all of them were well worth it and I can't wait to go back and explore more.

After exploring the crowded streets of NYC for two days, it was nice to get back to the slightly smaller Philadelphia. I got the chance to see some of my favorite historical places for the first time as well as taste my first true Philly-Cheese-Steak Sandwich. It felt like a heart-attack waiting to happen, but I think it was well worth it. 

With all of the adventures and new places I got to see, the best part of the trip was still getting to spend time with my cute little nieces and nephews. I miss them, but it sure is fun when I get to see them in sporadic times throughout the year and witness how fast they change and grow.

After my month of adventures around the country, I bravely set off to the Mexico MTC for my mission. If you want to read details about my five months as a Missionary, you can see my mission blog here, or go to the link "Mission Experiences" at the top of my blog. Most of the gaps between December 2013 and June 2014 will be detailed there. 

Now on to more current things...