Tornado Food Poisoning

Yes, you read it right. Tornado food poisoning. I promise there's point to it.
This last week was pretty great! I am super jazzed because my best friend Chloe got her mission call, and that was the highlight of my week for sure. She is going to Ribeirao Preto, Brazil! So freaking exciting! I am sad she's leaving but mostly happy she'll be out serving the Lord. I know everyone says this about their missionary friends, but I know that Chloe will make one of the best missionaries EVER. I mean, just look at her. You can tell.

So here's the story of my Saturday that I guess is pretty interesting and makes this blog post what it is. So for lunch that day, Jordan, some of her family, and I went to this Mongolian restaurant that seemed pretty great. Later on, I went to visit Chloe and we went graduation party hopping which equals TONS of good eating. Seriously, it was awesome. But anyway, reason one of two that Saturday was notable is because the weather was INSANE all day, like crazy rain/hail thunderstorms. The streets were like flooded and it was sketchy! And then at the last party we were at, there were literally tornado sirens going off everywhere around us and everyone kept getting emergency warnings on their phones to take cover because of the tornado! UM HELLO CAN YOU SAY SCARY?? Ok well I was the only one who was actually frightened. But whatever. We were all in the basement and I was just like well, goodbye forever earth. But obviously I am totally fine and the tornado didn't even hit us, so phew.

Later on, Chloe and I even laid in a rushing waterfall on the side of the road (the gutter) because we wanted to be spontaneous. It was so cold it took my breath away but it was totally worth it. I like doing fun, random stuff like that. Good times.
Ok, so reason two my weekend was notable. Once we got home from the parties I wasn't feeling too great. I felt like I had ate too much and my stomach wasn't happy with my choices of the day. So I just kept feeling worse and worse but I rarely ever get sick and throw up, so I thought I could just sleep it off. NOPE. That dang Mongolian food came right back to get me…and it got me good….I won't go into details but let's just say it was the most miserable night of my life. (It probably was for poor Chloe too, who took care of me the whole time.) Haha, no joke I threw up like every hour and it was DISGUSTING. But you know what, Chloe freaking held my hair every time I did and I am the absolute luckiest person to have a friend that great. So yeah we think it was food poisoning from the Mongolian because looking back it seemed a little sketchy, but I guess it could've been something else…either way I never want to relive that putrid twenty-four hours because it was just a nightmare. Thank heavens for the angel Anderson family for taking care of me. (And Chlo, I know you're reading this so thanks again my dear :))
So now you know that I really did have a tornado food poisoned weekend and lived to tell the tale.
Other highlights in the last week: Scored a nanny job! Woop woop. I get to watch this freaking adorable five-month-old baby named Isabel and it's so awesome. I get paid to take care of cuteness all day. Also in my hopes of finding a second job for evenings, I have an interview at Victoria's Secret tomorrow, so that's exciting. I'm stoked to see how everything works out.

:)

COLORADOOOOOOO

It's true, I made it to Colorado. I live here now. It's kind of random but it's exciting and I love it.

So the story is that I moved here last Tuesday with my good friend Jordan. Her dad lives here and we moved into his town home. They were nice enough to take me in, give me my own room, and let me live here at pretty much no cost. That's pretty dang nice of them, right? I know. I have never even been to Colorado in my life but now I see how pretty and great it is! We live right in this cute little neighborhood and there's so many trees and fields and it is just so awesome. Also I can see the mountains, and I feel right at home when I do.

So anyway, I moved here mostly just for fun and because Jordan invited me, but I have been planning on working and having a full-time job while I'm here. In fact, I had a nanny job pretty much all lined up before I moved here, but then my employer lady kinda bailed on me a few days after I arrived. Bummer. So I'm working on the whole job thing right now. So far, not so good, but I'm pretty sure everything is going to be fine. It's all an adventure.

For the last week it's just been a lot of adjustment, job hunting, and exploring new territory. It's been probably one of the longest weeks of my whole dang life. I would be lying if I said if it wasn't a little rough so far, but I have very high hopes. I get a little anxious/homesick/lonely/scared here and there…but I am a firm believer in going outside of my comfort zone and finding new ways to keep life interesting. That sounds pretty cheesy but it's just true! Good things are going to come out of it! It's definitely even more of an adjustment than I thought it'd be and of course I'm stressing about the job stuff, but I'm incredibly blessed that I get to be here to see new things and experience different places and people. I'm just stoked ok. 

My cute roomie and me :)

Welcoming myself to the Rocky Mountains

Another huge plus to being here is that my cute friend Chloe from college lives like thirty minutes away. I spent the last couple days at her house and it was so great! We are going to have tons of fun this summer because we are both avid hikers and adventure seekers. This weekend we spent a lot of time outside and she showed me a couple really cool spots. She has a lot of state pride so she makes a very good tour guide. :) Today her, her friend Holden, and I went on a six or seven-ish mile hike at Guenella Pass in the freaking snow and it was way steep. It was one of those things where sometimes you take a step on top of the snow and you fall all the way through it so it is then up to your hip and you're like trapped. It's really quite funny to watch it happen to other people but then it's not funny when it happens to you. Either way it made the hike very interesting. By the time we got back to the car we were soaked because of falling in the snow so much! And basically, it was one of the best days ever because we all felt like we had just climbed Everest. Here are some pictures from it!

It's really quite frustrating that these photos don't adequately describe how beautiful the view was. You'll just have to trust me.

Today really was a great day. After we hiked, I got to see some other cute places near where Chloe lives and I loved it all. She showed me the Red Rock Amphitheater, which is SO COOL! Even just driving around and seeing all the pretty trees and mountains made me happy. We also ate at this dang delicious wing place that has kept me happy since then. So much happiness today I guess.

Red Rocks

I can't wait to explore more of Colorado and get settled in! I already love it here and I can't wait to see what happens this summer. :)

A Weekend in Zion

As I mentioned in my previous post, I just spent an adventurous weekend in good old Southern Utah. Zion's National Park is AMAZING! I had never been before (what a crappy excuse for a Utahn, right?) and I am so glad I got to experience it even though it was overdue. I love hiking and the beautiful outdoors in general, so I was in heaven this weekend. My sister Hope has a sweet camera and took lots of cool pictures, so sharing them here is how I will sum up the trip.

Started from the bottom...

Me, Hudsen, Hope (Yes I'm the shortest I know)

2.6 miles later...

My dad and I being so hardcore

 So all the pictures above were from Saturday when we did Angel's Landing. Ok, scariest dang thing of my life. It's a pretty hard hike which I can handle, but scaling the side of a cliff with nothing but a mere metal chain to save you...that's not my cup of tea. Heights are not my friend, at least when I'm in danger of imminent free fall death, which pretty well describes the last half mile of this hike. But you know, facing your fears is good. And the view that waits at the top of the scariest mountain is usually worth it. This doesn't mean I'd ever do it again. :)

Day two - Emerald Pools

 So this was the last hike we did, Emerald Pools. It was fairly easy and very beautiful. It's so cool how there's such a rich combination of red rocks and green vegetation all around. These kinds of views just astound me.

The scenic drive home - Cedar Breaks

I hope that every outdoor enthusiast out there will get to experience Zion's sometime. Because it is freaking awesome. I had the greatest weekend with two of my sisters and my wonderful dad in a beautiful place. I encourage everyone to get their hike on more often. Go outside, it's good for you, and it's gorgeous.
(Also....love these photos? Check out the girl behind the lens: Hope Christensen!)