It's Canada Goose not Canadian Goose

There is a new love in my life. Recently I have spent hours staring at this new love with desperate fascination. I'm so infatuated that I'm into serious stalking...with binoculars. So what if the object of my obsession has feathers. I'm not ashamed to admit that I am on my way to becoming a serious Birder. Don't laugh. The birds are safe. In spite of my most stealthy self, they won't let me get close.

Last weekend I witnessed something rare among the Anseriformes at Heppler's Ponds. In the midst of 200 waterfowl emerged 6 Canada Geese which were in the aristocratic company of 4 Tundra Swans! I watched, transfixed, as the unusual group swam to the edge of the pond, got out, waddled across the snow and took off together. Wow. It was surprising to see how much the svelte Swans towered over their unlikely companions. I did not know Tundra Swans and Canada Geese hung out.

By the end of this semester I must identify 200 species of our avian friends for an ornithology class. What an exciting challenge. By the way...the Red Jungle Fowl is the ancestor to what bird? (Hint: it tastes like chicken).

Late last Wednesday evening John Jones died. I never met him, but have been haunted by the tragic death of this medical student who perished in Utah's Nutty Putty Cave. All frantic efforts by 130 search and rescue volunteers failed to save him, and after being stuck upside down for 27 hours in the dark, he died. He was only 26 and left behind a pregnant wife, a 14 month old daughter, parents, siblings, and friends.

Death is a wake up call, a constant reminder that life is only temporary. No one expected John to die so suddenly. Now he's gone, permanently entombed in the cave that claimed his life. Death is a thief that robs us of loved ones. It is sneaky and unpredictable and often calls when we least expect it. The lesson it teaches is that we cannot afford to take people for granted. You never know when they will no longer be around to irritate you.

Gratitude

I just got back from running three miles this morning. Today's gift was a beautiful fall morning. As I stepped out the door the north wind greeted me, chilling me instantly. While running I watched leaves race across the streets. Fall is the time of year when mother nature paints with intense colors for a few short weeks, then switches palettes and paints with white. Fall is when people use food for decorations in different sizes and shapes of orange. Last fall semester I learned something that continues to haunt me. Each year 11 million people die of starvation. That is like the Holocaust happening every year! You and I are not one of them. How fortunate we are to live in a land choice above all other lands, a land of plenty. To have your health, family (such as they are) and cherished friends is the truest wealth. We take so much for granted.

Sinister steps

On the BYU campus is a sinister set of steps. Let me explain. Because I am not a professor I get to park, along with 30,000 other students, in parking lots located miles from class. The people in admissions are secretly cruel. They make sure there are more than twice as many students enrolled than there are parking spaces. So students battle it out every day in parking lots. The BYU grounds crew is very efficient and constantly clears all traces of blood and guts before the media gets wind of the devastation.
Once I found an unguarded parking space. Delighted, I finally parked my car and started walking to class. I passed the Smith field house heading east. Then I saw them... a formidable run of stairs so long I could not see to the top. Undaunted, I started up the stairs loaded down like a pack mule with over 40 pounds of books, a computer, water, etc. For those who are smart enough to have rolling backpacks, please note that they are not very effective when it comes to stairs.
I consider myself in fairly good shape. However, it wasn't long before my legs and lungs were complaining. I kept going, even when other students quit and opted for the easier underground passage that was mercifully provided just before consciousness was lost. "Give it up!" my body screamed. "No!" my brain retaliated..."You can do this!" "Just take it one step at a time"... When I finally made it to the top things were hazy and I was gasping for air. My legs felt like rubber. But I prevailed!
I meet the steps often, sometimes two or three times a day. I always take it to the top.

Fall semester recently started and I'm "back in the saddle"at BYU. Studies are intense. However, in the evenings, when things settle down...I have a secret passion that takes the edge off things and relives a lot of stress. I have discovered WOW. To be honest, I've become a WOW freak. I have my own special WOW room complete with a WOW hot line to my mentor, Aidan. We have formed our own guild, "The Untouchables," complete with an official tabard and bank. When Ashley found out I started playing WOW, she chided me, "I can't believe you're playing that...only nerds play WOW." I have crossed over to the dork side. Power to the Horde!

So...Hey! brb cause i g2g agitate the Alliance O.o btw my main is lvl 48!!! I'm omw to glory and greatness! :p cya!

I lost myself. It happened slowly and somewhere among the incessant demands of others. I'm trying to find me but can't because the old me no longer exists. Someone else has taken her place and I haven't figured out who she is. My forever boyfriend comments on this renaissance woman as he watches me tackle things I had crossed off life's list. "WOW" he says, "You would have never done that before!" He's right. The old me wouldn't... but the new me does. I no longer have fears. It makes all the difference.

Summer Fun

I went to Victoria, British Columbia the last week in July. What a beautiful city! There were Hundreds of flower baskets hanging from old fashioned street lights. Not a single flower was dead or wilted...amazing! I Fell in love with that corner of the world. Erin and I want to move there. The highlight was whale watching Orcas in Puget Sound with Erin and Ashley. We traveled 86 nautical miles in two hours in a souped up rubber raft. We were hauling! The males travel on the perimeter of the pod, the females with young on the inside. They are incredible animals. I'd like to study marine biology.