Life is a Roller Coaster.

Beautiful day in San Fran

     So.... time to update I guess. (I'm not going to say anything about being a terrible blogger). The rest of my summer was spent doing many more adventures. I went to Idaho for a family reunion and was glad to see my family since who knows when I'll see them again with my future ahead of me. While in Reno, I spent a lot of time at Lake Tahoe. That is for sure one of my favorite things about Reno. I am so lucky.

      Blake and Christine and their kids came to visit in August, which is always so much fun! They're so chill. We had the great idea, based on my extremely selfish desires to go to my favorite place in the world, to go to San Francisco one day with just me, Blake, Christine, and Ellie. What an awesomely perfect trip that was! We started the day by sharing Fish n' Chips at the Fairy Codmother, then walked our way over to Ghirardelli Square for the divine dark chocolate hot fudge ice cream sundays, then walked our way down to see the sea lions and Pier 39. I don't know what it is about San Fran, but every single time I go, I fall in love with it again. And never want to leave. I just love the fresh brisk ocean air, the many colors, and the whimsical feel of being in that city. We then decided to head to Mercado Brasil where we got Tyler and Blake some great Brazilian products. From there we decided, with great encouragement for me again to visit my favorite beach, to drive through the rest of the city over the Golden Gate and up through Muir Woods to end up at Stinson Beach. There is something so magical about that beach that just gets to me. I know it's not the prettiest of all beaches, and definitely not the warmest, but to me it is simply perfect. It is my happy place. We then made our way safely back to Reno. Perfection.

      I was also able to join my best friend Danny's family at their family reunion at Lake Tahoe for a week in August. By far one of the best trips there I've had. Everyday including wakeboarding, tubing, boating around the lake and stopping at different beaches, rock jumping, dock jumping, campfires, bike rides, volleyball, and watching the Olympics at our house right on the beach :) I was so extremely grateful to be able to spend that week with my best friend who would soon be separated from me for a year and a half because she was leaving for her mission to Cuiaba, Brazil. I'm so grateful for Danny, for her example, her love, her joy, and for the many memories we have made together so far. I had to say goodbye to her when I left for Hawaii, which was so so so weird and so so so hard. But I have since received a few letters from her and read her blog, and she is doing so incredibly well that I am so incredibly happy for her.

      On my way back to Hawaii, I left Reno and flew to LA to visit my friend Kyle from high school who goes to USC film school. We had so much fun and couldn't believe that trip actually came together, just like the rest of my trips over the summer. On Saturday we actually went to the USC vs. University of Hawaii football game at the Coliseum which was loco!! There was so much energy and so many people there! Man I wish my school had college football. We also went down around Beverly Hills, and of course visited Sprinkles cupcakes :) Then we also went north and had dinner with my brother Wade and his family which was so much fun. The most interesting day of this trip was definitely when Kyle, Nick and I went to Venice Beach and for Kyle's work had to film the Muscle Beach contest! It was nuts! Tons of huge men and women bodybuilders everywhere haha we were careful not to touch them... That was definitely an experience. We spent the trip seeing Kyle's campus and then I flew out to Hawaii on Tuesday morning. 

      Since being back at Hawaii, I have definitely been on one long roller coaster, with many ups, downs, and confusing twists and turns.When I first got back, I felt extremely alone. I think it didn't help that I had an amazing summer and had mended my relationship with mainland. It also didn't help that I came fresh from that trip with Kyle and Nick who I have so much fun with and who really get me. I knew that coming back this semester was going to be interesting to say the least. I knew I was probably in need of some new friends, especially since many have transferred, and to figure out how to make myself happy no matter the situation. 

     I came to know that I needed to hand my life over to the Lord again, because He knows me better than I know myself. This is when I went through some rough times, many of which were alone without friends, without invitations to do anything, and many nights alone in my room. I felt like Hawaii was so foreign to me because it was no longer the way that I had always known- which was non-stop adventure. I did have opportunities to go to some house parties, but I decided that I wasn't going to invest my time doing things that weren't completely up to my standards but that would simply fulfill having a social life. I decided not to go just for the sake of going. I finally came to the stage in my life where I realized that I am in complete control of my life and that I shouldn't care about being seen at the "it" party but should instead choose what will make me truly happier, and if staying at home on a Friday night relaxing is it, then that's what I'll do and I don't care what anyone else thinks. I feel like I have really found myself this semester. I am me and I am no one else. Last week after saying I wasn't going to a certain Halloween party, my close friend told me "Well I love you for being you." This made my heart happy, because I too have come to love myself.

      Now don't get me wrong, I have made some fantastic friends this semester who have truly blessed my life. They are exactly what I need right now. They lighten my load and make my day every time I see them. It's all about watching the "Art of Flight" snowboarding documentary with my temporary little brother Max (friend from Reno) almost every week, or helping Max and Finks (real name Bo) make chicken traps while they pretend to be on Man vs. Wild in Hawaii, going to Taco Bell with Beth, having life discussions with Crosby at Spitting Caves, stargazing at bonfires, awkward dancing with my roommates, or making pan popcorn at my house with the Meat Locker Crew (code for the coldest lounge in the guy's dorms). 

      Classes are going well, it may sound wrong but I actually do love reading hundreds of pages of Communication Theory every week. My major and minor are perfect perfect perfect for me. So blessed. I have a new calling as the Relief Society President in my ward. I've been called for two weeks now, and I'm scared out of my mind. But I love the sisters in my ward, they teach me so much. And I know that there are so many things the Lord needs me to learn. I'm up for the challenge only with the knowledge that with strength from the Lord and guidance of the Holy Ghost, I can do all things. I have already felt many blessings come into my life since my service and I'm so excited to get to know and to serve the girls in my ward. I'm ready for whatever turn life decides to hand me, and I'm so grateful for the people in my life who keep my strong by their example to me, from their support, encouragement, and for simply making me happy.

Every day at Tahoe.

Emerald Bay

With Danny at the falls above Emerald Bay

Tahoe is beautiful.

I. love. tubing.

Tahoe Keys Neighborhood

 Sunday at Ghirardelli Square

Love this city

Colors everywhere

                         

"San Francisco, open your Golden Gate!"

Overlooking Stinson Beach. Very happy.

Finks, Rachel, Me, Court, Beth, Max, and Bills.

Roomies:Beth, Brook, Court, Me, and Alex downtown.

I love winter waves

         

Toy Story clouds, yes?

        

                                                                     

Utah and California Adventure Time.

     

Cruisin' with Luke and Crew.

     My plans for this summer were to simply have no plans, but to just GO! So about three days after I got home from Hawaii for the summer, I headed straight to Logan, Utah to spend some time with my brother Blake's family, not knowing when I would return to Reno (just the way I like it). Christine had baby Ellie about two days after I got there, so I got to spend some precious time with my two awesome nephews Sam and Isaac. I had so much fun with them, and they were so excited for their new sister. I spent the next week hanging out with them, and then on Saturday I headed to Salt Lake with my roommate Destiny to our friends Dave and Catherine's wedding. It was so much fun because there were twenty of us there from Hawaii! I made it back to Logan the next day, bought my ticket to San Diego, and left two days later.

     I landed in San Diego where Crosby, my great friend from Hawaii, picked me up. I then remembered that my nephews were on vacation there with their dad, so we headed straight to their hotel on Coronado Island to say hello. It was great to be at the ocean again :) We then drove up to Crosby's house in Temecula, where we got to catch up. The next day, we met up with our friends from Hawaii Nate, Colby, and Devin for frozen yogurt. Then we made our way to my Uncle Craig's house in Santa Clarita. Later that night, Destiny showed up at my uncle's house with Nathan, Chris, and Rachel so that we could go to Six Flags Magic Mountain the next day! That was such a blast, because it was Nathan's birthday and that was our excuse to act like kids again for a day ;)

     On Friday, my Aunt Jennifer and I had so much fun going to downtown LA for some majorly discounted designer shopping! I had a blast with her, and we finally got some girl time together! Then we met up with my sister-in-law Merideth so that I could spend the next day or so with her and my brother Wade and their five kiddos. We spent the next day riding bikes, swimming at the pool, and getting tasty food at Cafe Rio. After church on Sunday, we went back to Craig's house for a big family dinner, and I then stayed there that night. 

     Monday I went to Hurricane Harbor, the water park at Six Flags, with my cousin Easton and his friend. That was super fun, even though those teenage boys acted like babies for all the "big" slides! ;) That night we just hung out and, my friend Devin came and stayed there that night so that we could drive back to Reno together the next day. 

     It was definitely a fun-filled and sporadic trip! And I was exhausted after being gone for almost three weeks, but it was definitely worth it! I can't believe I got to do everything I did, and more importantly see everyone I saw! I'm so grateful for the friends and family I have, and how much joy they bring to me in my life. I don't have many pictures from this adventure, but here's some:

Beautiful baby Ellie.

   

At Dave and Catherine's wedding with Destiny and a bunch of Hawaii friends!

 Top left corner: Me with Crosby at the beach in San Diego

Top right corner: Hotel del Coronado in San Diego

Bottom left corner: Me and Nathan with our incredible glasses...

Bottom right corner: our group at Sixl Flags workin' the capes!

 

 

Getting Danny Tan!

Danny, Beth, and Me at the Laie Temple.

     I know, I know. It's been awhile. But, once again it's with good reasoning- my life is just too good. So I'll take it one major event at a time. First off, it's Danny visiting me in Hawaii!! Words cannot describe how incredibly excited I was to have my best friend in the entire world fly across the Pacific to come visit me, especially since she will be leaving September 18th to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Cuiaba, Brazil. So it was so incredible to have this last little adventure together before she leaves. 

     She came in at night on Wednesday, June 13, then the next day I took some finals in the morning, she went to the Laie temple, then we went to the beach, and then I took another final (with my hair still wet- only at BYU-Hawaii). That night we went to Kahuku Grill, my personal favorite, for dinner. The next day after my last final, we headed to Sunset Beach with my friend Beth and relaxed all day. Then headed to Ted's Bakery for dinner, and then off to the Polynesian Cultural Center for the amazing night show. 

     Saturday was our North Shore Adventure Day! We headed straight to Shark's Cove for the absolute BEST day of snorkeling I've had there. Then we went to Waimea and jumped off the rock, then off to historic Haleiwa for Matsumoto's Shave Ice, shopping, and tasty Thai food. Then we ended the day at Turtle Beach at sunset where we saw about 8 turtles just hanging out :) Sunday we went to church, then headed to the Buddhist Temple for some great sight seeing. Then back to Laie Temple Visitor's Center, then relaxing the rest of the day.

     Monday was a the East and South Side of the island Adventure Day, and what a day it was! Drove first to Lanikai Beach to see the whitest sand and clearest water on the island with my friends Zach S, Zach Z, and Chandler. Then off to Makapu'u Lighthouse for a breath-taking few. After that, we headed to my absolute favorite spots on the island, "China Walls" and "Spitting Caves." Here there are beautiful cliffs of all sizes to either soak in the beauty, or to jump off of!! At China Walls, we had a bit of fun when we were watching a surfing DOG and got distracted by him so we got hit by a huge wave haha. It was fantastic. Later that night we headed into Waikiki for Danny to do some shopping, where we also ran into my "Teddy Bear World" teddy bear costume who just loooooves to scare me.... haha.

     Then Tuesday, my friend took us on a hike to "Sacred Falls" for a fun waterfall to swim at in the middle of the jungle. After that, we went straight to the beach where some of my friends helped us surf. Danny and I caught the same wave! Cheehoo! That night was then full of me packing and cleaning my apartment, with the help of my amazing friends. The next morning, we headed back to Reno on the same flight together, where my amazing summer would continue!

     I'm so grateful Danny got to come. It was seriously the best trip ever; we know each other so well and work so well together that it was like a vacation for me too! Everything turned out absolutely perfect. I'm so grateful that I have Danny in my life because she's the sweetest and funniest girl I know, and I don't know what I would do without her. As sad as I am that I won't get to call her for a year and a half, I'm so excited for her to go to Brazil and serve the people there! Check out our pictures :)

Beautiful Day at Shark's Cove!

Danny loves sea turtles!

At the Buddhist Temple.

 

 

Danny also loves Coconut Trees :)

Makapu'u Lighthouse.

At Spitting Caves.

Sitting at my favorite spot with my favorite girl!

Swimming in Sacred Falls.

So I'm Finally Tan.

You must go to Kauai.

So apparently, I AM TERRIBLE AT BLOGGING!! I mean, it's only been like half a year since I've posted. Whoops. So all of you people out there that think that life in Hawaii only consists of going to the beach, surfing, cliff jumping, snorkeling, getting sunburned, and eating shaved ice- you are way off! Well, not too far off to be honest... that is my typical weekend. But during the week, I am 100% a college student. Meaning, that yes, I actually study. Hard to imagine, I know. 

I think that life just got crazy right after my last post with the end of the semester. And then I started one of the hardest semesters of my life (which really I've found out that each semester just. keeps. getting. harder). Not to make excuses or anything. And definitely not to complain. I LOVE MY LIFE. Let's just make that clear. But my life (or my want to just relax when I get free time instead of so "tediously" blogging) makes posting a little complicated for me. So I'll work on that.

So instead of a long and drawn out explanation of each exciting or life changing event that's taken place since my last post, because no one wants that, I'll just give the briefest overview I know how to do. Ready go: I went home for Christmas and had a great break with my family. It mostly consisted of my sister Coleen's wedding planning, day, and receptions and stuff but I love all of that. Everything turned out perfect I thought, and Coleen and Scott just looked so happy :) I was a little disappointed though because it didn't snow! Sounds weird, but I was looking forward to a change in weather.

Then I came back to Hawaii for Winter Semester, which was a pretty intense semester, but I learned a lot. Which is the point right? My major is still International Cultural Studies with Communications, and my minor is Hospitality and Tourism. Right now I'm in the first session of Summer Semester which is six weeks long, and I'm taking Destination and Marketing Management, World Cultures Literature, and Physical Science- which I had to take because I found out my science from Idaho didn't transfer. Boo. Anyways I love the other two classes! But I can say that I'm definitely putting in my time for them. But I'm also seeing how I can maybe pursue a career in the tourism industry but with a focus on applying culture into tourism, which is perfect for me!

I have had many MANY adventures the last couple months, I don't even know where to begin. I guess I'll just have to post pictures for all of them, plus if I talk about them too much you all might get too jealous! The main adventure though was definitely when a group of us went to Kauai in March!! It was seriously incredible. I might even consider it to be the best weekend of my life. Kauai is such a beautiful island and we were able to experience so much of it while we were there. Look out for the pics below because they are breathtaking. Also, Chase and Lauren came to visit me in March, and my Mom came in April. I am so blessed to have such incredible people in my life who love me so much!

And now as always, I have to post what I've been learning. It seems like life never stops throwing things at you, and even though I've experienced some crazy, hard, confusing (really confusing) and weird (really weird) things over the last little while, I'd experience them all again because of how much I've gained from them. I find it insane how much I can continually learn, especially when I look back to when I was eighteen and thought I knew everything. I was so wrong. I've learned so much more, but I've learned that really, I know nothing! So I'm ready for whatever else comes. I am so incredibly grateful for the Gospel in my life because it makes all of the difference. I have really learned the importance of the Savior's Atonement, because through it I have the opportunity to be BETTER and to try to find my potential. Which is so awesome. I'm so glad that after I experience hard things or make mistakes, that I don't have to be stuck that way forever. I CAN change and I have learned the happiness and growth that comes from taking advantage of that ability. That really has been the theme of the last few months for me, and not just for me to be better, but to help others be better too. Because I've seen how awesome it can be, I want to help others along a brighter path. So life, keep it coming.

I cannot express how much I am deeply in love with this place and with the people who are in my life. It was a little difficult when this semester started because the majority (like 99%) of my closest friends went home for summer and about half of them aren't coming back. Needless to say I've spent a lot of time alone the last month or so, which is weird for me, but I've come to find that I needed alone time. I've realized a lot of things and gotten to know myself so much more, and I've been able to handle hard trials that have come my way by making sure I'm doing what right and then I can have the strength of the Lord. I'm actually really looking forward to going home in a little less than a month, I have a lot to look forward to! My best friend Danny is actually coming to visit me the last week of classes and then we'll fly back to Reno together, so that is keeping me motivated!! Then the summer will include the rodeo with my family, going to Utah to help Christine before and after the baby, Disneyland with my friends, working (tbd at where), trips to see family, spending time with my best friends, and hopefully many trips to San Francisco. Then I head back to Hawaii in September. I'm saying this now so it's in print: I will do my best to keep updating posts!! No more laziness on my part. Anyways, sorry for the long post but it really is cut down seeing it covers six months. Enjoy the pictures!

Zach and I meeting a few pro surfers!

We met 11x surf world champ Kelly Slater!!!

I love the surf competitions so much.

Happy Coleen and Scott at the Reno Reception :)

The "Triphactoid" a.k.a. Zach, Me, and James at Lanikai Beach.

Lauren and Chase came to visit!!

Some of my favorite girls: Lindsay, Alexis, Kaylani, and Brooke.

The Napali Coast in Kauai that we hiked. INCREDIBLE!!! Not dangerous at all either...

Our group for Kauai and my dirty feet from my Vibram shoes after the 12 mile hike.

The amazing hotel in Kauai.

Queen's Bath in Kauai.

Me and Destiny swimming in paradise (Queen's Bath)

Destiny, "Jaime" and me with our flowers :)

First waterfall lookout.

Second waterfall. 80 feet...

Waimea Canyon Lookout in Kauai

Waimea Canyon. The Grand Canyon of Kauai.

So pretty.

Our last beach in Kauai. Looks good to me.

Me and my Mama at Makapu'u.

Makapu'u Light House. Can you spot us?

Dolphins at Spitting Caves!!!

That's me. Can you tell that's my favorite spot on Oahu?

Me with my girls Destiny and Crosby at Spitting Caves

 

At the Jack Johnson Concert where we met him after!!