The Latest and Greatest

I'm really scoring high on this whole no-blogging thing. I have the intention of updating the 5 people who read this, but then life gets in the way. I suppose that this is a good thing! Instead of listing all the reasons as to why I haven't blogged, I've provided photographic evidence.

Enjoy.

Not only did I move to a new place, I also repainted the room I was moving into. I was sightly surprised as how easy the whole process was, but then again, I had nothing moved in yet.

I'm trying to remember the order of things -- this seemed like a good place to insert a food picture. Just Sunday dinner at the parents. That's a scallop, in case you were wondering. 

Rugby game. Men tackling each other in shorts never looked so good.

Happy Hour with Em.

Ingrid Michaelson? Check.

Volunteering at the Best Friends Adoption Fair. Doesn't this yellow Clifford look so sad? 

Isn't he adorable? Sigh. One day, one day I'll have one to call on my own.

There was a petting zoo in Beaver. So we obviously had to stop by on our way to Las Vegas.

While we were at it, we stopped in St. George for some famous donuts. Next time you are in that area, you should probably stop for a Fractured Prune Donut. They are as good as the name sounds.

Once again, L's dad got us hooked up. This is our living room of the hotel we stayed in. There were 4 separate bedroom and just as many bathrooms.

She was so much better than we could have ever hoped for.

I was lied to. They did not tell me that my plate would be the length of my arm! Brunch at Serendipity.

What is Vegas without buffets? The first and probably last time I will be stopping at the Bacchanal buffet. Overwhelming is an understatement for how much food was going on in that place.

B's face is that of pure joy and deliciousness.

Now, I know we are smokin' hot and all, but the actual smoke is coming from that rock on our table. Once again, first and probably the last time I will cook meat on a thousand degree river rock.

But it sure was yummy. 

This is our attempt to re-create a picture we took at this exact spot five years ago-- minus the so-called dresses we had.We were all in our second year of college and it was one of our first group trips to Vegas. I would say the last five years have been good to us. 

What is summer without a bonfire? First of many, many to come. 

I really do feel safer with Totoro at our camping trip. 

Shooting stars and what not. 

Some more pictures of food. What? Don't act like you've never see a whole roasted pig next to a cake. Because that is exactly how they were in the store. 

B's last Saturday in Utah. So we obviously had to stop for Kneader's french toast. 

In case you haven't heard, L is having a baby boy!

I just want to say that I made those. Ok, I had some help but to all you doubters -- they tasted great!

Baby diaper centerpiece? Not sure what it is called, but it was fabulous. 

Don't mind the girl trolling behind us in the back. Friends since Jr. High -- it's crazy to see how much we've grown!

Work pool party. Part of why I can be at my job for 10+ hours a day is because of these people.

Mom turned 35...again. Happy happy birthday! 

Papa, mama and baby Rita's.

Hong Kong style BBQ is great, but with this group of people? Even better. 

Best morning surprise. The car in front of me bought my drink for me! Also, this picture is deceiving. My car does not look this clean. 

OneRepublic concert. Most of my life acquaintances were present. 

You can't get this photo effect anywhere. Courtesy of bad selfie taking skills. 

Just finished the AF half. I'm too lazy to search for a picture of the Odgen full. Today is your lucky day, only one gross picture of me after a run. 

...And I ate this after my run. NOM. 

Oh, just wearing a kid's birthday crown -- the usual. This guy here cracks me up. Without him, work would just be normal. 

It's such a shame that I take for granted all the beautiful nature that Utah provides us.

Aww, this guy. 

Such a cute little girl! Can you even tell she is a halfie? 

So there you have it. The last six months of my life in a couple dozen photos. I'm planning on moving [again] soon, a wedding is happening and many more exciting adventures to come! I'll be sure to fill you in sooner than every six months! 

Add another to the list...

I love animals. I really do, even though my list of roadkill that I have contributed to the highways would indicate otherwise.

Over MLK weekend, my family and some family friends decided to take a road trip to Antelope Canyon and Las Vegas. Being the excellent driver that I am, I did a lot of the driving.

As we were heading south towards Antelope Canyon, a small grey bunny darted out from the shrubs and in front of my car. I saw him before he dashed out and in a split second, deciding between to slam on the brakes and potentially swerving the car into a ditch or....to run over the bunny.

I ran over the bunny.

I'm not proud of it, but I did it without even flinching.

Anyways, here are some photos.

We may have taken a detour to Bryce Canyon....just to do an early morning hike so we could watch the sunrise. And by detour, I mean a 4 hour divergent.

BUT we finally made it to Antelope Canyon just for the last few hours of sunlight. And I got this awesome shot using my cellphone! Needless to say, it was breathtaking.

Me. Entrance of the canyon.

Happy campers. Seriously though, it was way too early to be on top of a canyon ridge.

If you have not heard or been to Antelope Canyon, I would highly recommend it. The canyon is not a State Park and is privately owned by the members living in the Reservoir. And every year the inside of the canyon changes so go before it disappears!

Vegas was the usual -- food and shopping. For such a short and simple road trip, it was such a welcome break from work and being in Utah (ahem inversion).

Teaser: I'm planning a trip....THE trip of the year. So stay tuned!

Twenty Thirteen.

I don't have the habit of reflecting and writing about the past year come New Year's Eve, but this year seems like a good one to start doing it!

I split my thoughts/doings between here and in a personal journal. I'm not sure why I bother writing in two separate outlets but I started this journal of mine when I graduated from high school. It was a very fitting time since I was going into college and I would no longer be a "child." And, oh boy... was it necessary!

This journal has seen some good and bad days, mostly my late night rants. I think the reason why I chose to start a blog was that I needed somewhere I could keep track of things I was doing (trips, activities etc). But the memorable, journal-worthy events happen sporadically. Sometimes everyday...and sometimes in months. It started becoming really difficult to write about my fun day trip to the art museum and having desserts with friends right in the middle of a chain personal thoughts. Call it compartmentalize. 

Anyways, I was going through old posts and realized I didn't really write anything about 2012 or anything about what I envisioned for 2013, in either of  my writing outlets! Guys, 2013 was huge! Like most years, so many crazy things happen and for me to not write about (with TWO places to write, c'mon!) it seemed like a crime. 

So here goes, my post for saying goodbye to 2013.

2013 was the most interesting year I have yet to experience. Some big moments of 2013: 

Officially became a graduate. And 2013 was the first year that I was not in school.

Started juicing...which speaking of, I just discovered grapefruit-orange recipe that I am pretty fixated on. 

I ran another half-marathon and this time, in San Diego!

Became an "aunt", my cousin had a beautiful baby boy and I love that they are in the area so we get to see him grow!

Emily and I went to Thailand! We did a number of things, including getting to play with and feed an elephant. We also spent some time in Hong Kong and it is always so good to go home and visit family. 

My best friend decided to spend the next 18 months in Madison, Wisconsin to serve a mission. 

I did not go to law school. After months and months of awful back and forth, I came to the heart-breaking decision that I would not be attending law school...right now. If I had to pick one thing about 2013, this would be it. I was so close and had already put so much effort and time into going only to do a complete 180. 

I accepted a position to work at an investment banking company here in Salt Lake. It's a great company and I am really, truly enjoying my time there. I want to see where I can go in the company, but we will see! 

I moved to Salt Lake for the job. The change was much needed, but God has a funny/not funny way of keeping you tied to your past even when you have moved on, mentally and physically. 

I turned 24. 

I finally got to see some of my very favorite artists in concert.

I may have missed a thing or two, but the point is that I have learned so much from 2013. I learned how to be patient. I learned how to just simply let go of people and of things that should be let go. I learned that things will rarely ever go the way you plan, and that's ok. I learned that highs will be highs and lows will be lows, but what is important is how I choose to make of the highs and lows. 2014 can only be better, right?!

"And to make an end is to make a beginning" - T.S. Eliot.