Christmas time!!!!

Well hello there. You (all three of you) probably assumed I abandoned my post here in blogspot land. Well, you are right. I did abandon it. But now I'm back!!! The last post was all about how busy we were with school and work and I said I would not be back for a while. Trust me. It was OUT OF CONTROL busy. My eating and exercise routine/habits went in the garbage. Taking 20 credit hours and working 40-50 hours/week is not conducive to a healthy life. Needless to say, I won't be doing it on purpose again. So here is an update of the last semester:

I got a new job!! Yay!! Finally! I was so sick of working for Hotel Park City I wanted to burn it to the ground and then have the ashes thrown into a deep, deep lake full of hideous fish. Instead of committing arsen, I just got a new job. My old spa director, Kristi from the Golden Door in Telluride got a position as assistant director for the spa at the hotel, "Montage" up in Deer Valley. I had sent in my resume and the second she got it she called me. We chatted and I got invited for an interview with the director, Loren. Within 20 minutes I had been offered a well-paying position as a massage therapist. At first, I didn't know how to feel about it. I was so jaded from working for a crappy ski resort spa. But after some prayers and fasting I had an answer. Heavenly Father wanted me to go for it. It was one of the those experiences where you have to step off the cliff and have faith that the Lord will help you fly. I knew that working for them meant missing an entire month of school. Yes... O Chem, Honors Exercise Physiology, Honors Global Health, etc. I would be missing all of them. I was terrified that my grades would slip and being a perfectionist, I didn't want to get less than A's. But off I went. Training was incredible!! I learned so many new things from a wonderful professional, Anne Brahman who was been teaching to practicing for over 20 years. I learned three new modalities: Connective Tissue, Aroma Reflex and the true practice of Reflexology. It was amazing. During and after training I had so many incredible experiences working with others and even experienced miracles.

After training was over, I went to my final week of school. The week after I took my finals. My grades? Awesome! So far I have four A's and waiting on my O Chem grades (which managed to get an A on the final). Yes, Heavenly Father does answer prayers. And yes, he is able to see the road ahead. We just need to trust him to lead us there even when we can't see through the darkness.

Justin did not get a new job. Instead, he kept his awesome one we both adore and just relocated his work computer to our home office! So now he works from home. We both love it. I love it because he is able to help out with chores while I'm gone. He loves it because on his break he exercises and is able to work out. He also loves it when I bring him meals while he works. (I do too actually because everytime I see his face it makes me smile.) Justin also did very well in his classes! This semester he was a TA for Temme's Biology class. We both like Temme. I took Biology and Physiology from him. Justin took Biology twice from him (it's a long story as to why he took the class twice since he got an A both times). He really enjoyed teaching students and tutoring people that struggled with the concepts. Some nights after Physics labs I would drop over to the library and study in the next table over while he taught. He was especially good with students that were not Biology whizzes... they seemed to gravitate towards Justin because he treated them with so much respect.

Other than that, it was a busy semester. We also opened another savings account and are saving up for a grand graduation trip. Thinking maybe Cancun? Anything that involves sand, sun and being alone together AWAY from campus.

Christmas came and went. It was very busy. We went to four different family's houses in two days. But we loved seeing everyone and had fun. My big presents were a video camera, pressure cooker, juicer and gift card to my favorite store, Ann Tayler Loft. Justin got some five finger Vibram shoes, a bike car rack (another one) and new mountain bike pedals. But the best present was taking my Granddad to church. Although my Granddad was never a religious guy and now he is affected with Alzheimer's, I feel like he just enjoyed the Christmas music and being around others.

A few days after Christmas Justin took me skiing! I have never really tried it so we took off to Alta one afternoon and took a few runs on the bunny hill. I have to admit that I actually really enjoyed it! Justin is a great teacher though.

Earlier in the week we went night boarding/skiing with my bestie, Evelyn and her fiance, Richard. It was a blast. They said something that both Justin and I have found to be true. Evelyn said, "When you get married, you never stop dating. The only difference is that you date different couples." Then she said, "We like you guys, so we will date you guys." That made me happy, of course, because I love my bestie! Heck, I pushed my wedding forward by a month because of her! But it is true. You date other couples.

Other than that... I can't think of anything else to say. But I will be in touch soon!!

Bye Bye for a while....

It might be a while til I blog again. Justin and I are so insanely busy right now I think a panic attack/breakdown is imminent.

Basically Justin is working full time, taking about 15 credits and TAing for Biology.

I am working about 25 hours, volunteering for a physical therapy clinic, taking 20 credits (yes, 20 of which includes Organic Chemistry, Honors Physiology and Physics), involved in the Burundi refugee project and trying not to rip my hair out.

Justin and I see each other in the morning between 6:30-7:00 am and then again at about 10 pm. It's very sad. But hopefully the madness will end soon. Only a few weeks til Fall Break. Then Thanksgiving and Christmas will be around the corner.

We are existing on peanut butter, crackers and peaches given to us by our friends/family. I look forward to the day I might be able to eat seafood or take a nap or even take a 15 minute shower.

Big Sandy

Last week we spent 3.5 days backpacking in the Wind Rivers of Wyoming with some friends, the Canens. It was unbelievably gorgeous. We hiked in to Big Sandy lake and set up a base camp in the rain. The next day we hiked to Clear and Deep Lakes and spent the entire day fishing. The weather was cool, sunny and perfect. Deep Lake was a glacier lake that was the bluest water I have ever seen. Justin got way into fishing and caught his first fish! That night we took a dip in the freezing cold waters of a nearby creek and felt totally refreshed. The last day we hiked to Jackass Pass and looked over into Cirque of the Towers. It was definitely on my list of the top 5 prettiest places I have ever been. Then we hiked out, a total of 12 miles for the day.

Many faces of Russell McAvoy

Last week I spent a considerable amount of time with my Granddad at Silverado. I took a bunch of pictures of him, trying hard to get him to smile but he was in a strange mood. Here's some of the best shots:

Finally a smile!

Moving and Park City

With the generous help of my mother, mother-in-law and sister-in-law (Brandi) we finally moved from the Avenues to Millcreek. Although it's a chore to unpack and reorganize our lives, we are finding the extra room to be AMAZING and the location to be fabulous. This apartment is nicer, newer, bigger and the location is so close to our families. We love it!

The day after the move we went up to Park City with the Hendersons for a weekend getaway. Staying at the Marriott Mountainside was a blast with direct access to Park City mountain, Alpine Slide/Coaster/Zipline, etc. That weekend we played at the resort, ate at fantastic restaurants, swam in the many pools and went to a concert at Deer Valley with the Utah Symphony performing Led Zepplin songs. It was an awesome weekend and Chris (my mother-in-law) did a great job planning and executing everything!

Blackberry Jam

A year ago I was given a jar of smashed blackberries from the garden of Justin's best friend's mother, Debbie Einfeldt. I have been afraid of canning since then but yesterday during some free time I finally tried it!
My blackberry jam actually worked out and all my bottles were properly sealed! I was pretty stoked. I just bought a few things from the grocery store like tongs, a canning magnetic lid wand and a funnel. It was so quick too!
One of my personal goals is to be more self-reliant and learn some of the skills my mother and grandmother know so that I can be thrifty and save us money while living more healthy. Justin also has this goal. So far we have been doing pretty good! Justin is a whiz at fixing bikes, changing the oil and basic maintenance. I now know canning, how to cook almost anything and am re-learning how to sew. When we move into our new place I'm buying some vegetable plants and herbs to put on our back porch since the new apartment will actually get some morning sunlight.

It feels good to be learning self-reliance!

Packing

Packing sucks BIG TIME.

My apartment seriously looks like a bomb exploded and we are trying to salvage the pieces. I might go crazy if I have to step over crap one more time.

Breathe... moving day is Thursday... breathe...

Well... gotta go. Justin just swore after hitting yet another box with his poor foot.

California...

I always hesitate to write about political issues. My family, who I adore is pretty split as far as politics go. I never want to offend or upset anyone and I certainly don't want to get into debates which usually end in someone stomping off or crying. (Yes, this has really happened... multiple times...) I'm talking about my Dad's family. While on the other side, my Mom's family is and will probably always be hard-core republican right-wing tea party nuts. I like to straddle the middle and advocate communication and deliberation of specific issues rather than loyalty to bipartisan opinion.

But I do have to say this overturning Prop. 8 thing in California is pretty nuts. What's the point of the majority vote if someone in the judicial system can veto it? And why is this all of a sudden a "human civil right"? I thought marriage was an institution that was the bedrock of our culture and most basic societal unit. Our physiology speaks pretty loudly for itself when looking at how a naturally occurring family develops. I'm sorry, but I think civil rights have little to do with institutions as old as humanity and more to do with equal rights in voting, financial capabilities, housing, etc. I think Prop. 8 was perfectly constitutional in sanctioning an institution like marriage between individuals with the capabilities to procreate and move society forward as has been done for tens of thousands of years.

Someone at my old job asked me to share my beliefs with her regarding this issue last week. I gave my opinions honestly and was cut off after 30 seconds and told I was "judgmental" and following my Christian beliefs "blindly" and that I had no respect for gay individuals and had no idea what I was talking about. Honestly, I stay away from reading too many press releases by my church and the newspapers so I can remain objective. I have had gay friends and known many great people in that community. I have worked with lots of gays in the spa industry. However, I remain firm in my belief. If the gay community can speak loudly about how they feel they're treated unfairly, I can speak loudly and say that I think traditional marriage is under attack and those who support it are often accused of being bigots, haters and even niave idiots. That's a pretty big double standard.

There, I've spoken my peace.

Brady and Katy

We love this couple. Background: Brady (aka "Elder Thompson") was a missionary Justin trained in Brasilia. He was Justin's favorite companion. A reformed stoner-hippie, Brady was perfect for Justin. And he's finally getting married! To a cutie... I might add. Though he looks almost identical to Harry Potter, Brady is awesome and we look forward to their hipster wedding.

Goodbye Spyglass, Hello Moringstar

It is finally happening. After living in our precious Spyglass #12 for the past year and 10 months, we are moving. Justin and I have loved living in the avenues. The cute historic homes, the walkable neighborhoods with small private businesses, the proximity to the University and the temple, the lovely trees that grow here so abundantly has made a nice little home for us. Today we were talking about how there have been no downsides to living here. But the time has come for us to move. We have been motivated mostly by the desire to be closer to family that needs us. Justin's parents will only be three blocks away, my grandparents within a 5 minute drive, my aunt within a 5 minute drive and being closer to my family in Highland will be the major perks for moving to Millcreek. This new place fell into our lap. Our landlord and maintenance man who have been such great blessings will remain the same. The only difference will be more space, a newer building and a little bit higher rent.

Here are the quirky characteristics of our apartment here in the avenues.

First we have the window sill tribute to Justin's mother's holiday ceramic gifts. I have never been big on trinkets, so we have been proudly displaying them in our window sill as a somewhat sick joke. Next is our summertime bedroom. Yes, it's in our front living room. The only a/c in the entire apartment is that little white box you see. Rather than suffer in a hot bedroom underneath the ceiling fan with the window open next to the house with the yappy dog, we have created a bedroom out of my Shiatsu mat in the front room that we sleep on from June-September.

And of course there are the bikes. Kimberly, Cammie and Gabrielle. Justin won't allow them to be chained up outside so we have been keeping them inside on the bike rack.
Something I won't miss is the size of the kitchen. I love love love to cook and this tiny thing makes it difficult.

Finally is all the places we have had to store our endless supply of gear. Under the bed, in the linen closet, in an entire bedroom closet and on the bedroom floor. Thank goodness the new place has ginormous closets!!

Donut Falls

A few weeks ago Hilary and Justin and I hiked up to Donut Falls. Short little hike up my favorite canyon, Big Cottonwood. I forgot to upload pictures, but here they are. I love love love love the Rockies in the summatime.

Two Weeks

Today I put in my two weeks notice for the company I have been working for for 2 years. I have had serious ups and downs with that place. Every one of my friends I made working there quit and moved on already. It's time for me to move on as well.

I don't have a job lined up, but Justin is very supportive of me quitting. I guess he's tired of me being an emotional wreck because of that place--particularly because of my inexperienced supervisors. I want to move on to something bigger and better. Actually, I'm excited for the prospect of change and working with new people. I'm focusing my intentions and energy on working for a company that actually has good ethics and creates a supportive, encouraging environment for employees. Actually being business savvy would be good too!

I could rant and rave about all the injustices I put up with, all the crappy ethics, the high school drama from supervisors that played favorites, etc. But instead, I'm doing my best to stay positive and be happy.

We'll see what the Lord has in store for Justin and I.

Joys of Summer

One of the joys of summer is the Olympic fountain at the Gateway mall. Fifty kids running around, soaking wet, while parents sit back and watch with big smiles on their faces.

New Glasses

Hurray! They finally came! My old glasses I broke on the way to Brasil were sagging from the athletic tape we used to put them back together. So with some birthday money I bought some sweet vintage glasses from www.WarbyParker.com. (Check em out, they're the "Belen" model)

By the way, I totally love that company. With taxes, glasses are only $95 and for every pair you buy, they donate a pair to a non-profit organization. Love these!

Our Awesomest Weekend

Fourth of July Weekend!!! Possibly the second best weekend of the year--with the free chicken sandwich weekend at Chik Fillet being the best. (Not.)

Recap:
Thursday I had a kidney stone. Ouch. Haven't had one since 2006 and this one wasn't too bad. I passed it without the aide of serious medication! (Ibuprofen and water is how I survived)

Friday: Kidney stone started to pass. That evening we left for our new annual tradition of backpacking Lake Blanche. Ate huge meals first at Cafe Rio. (BAD idea for someone who hadn't been eating because of kidney pain.) I barely made it up the trail and felt like I wanted to die. But hurray! We made it and the view was outstanding.

Saturday: Came back down from Lake Blanche and took a big long nap while watching soccer.

Sunday: BBQ!!! Dang it. I forgot to take pictures. My parents had a ginormous BBQ with wild boar ribs, chicken legs and everyone brought oodles of side dishes. Guest list: Whitings, Bakers, Limas, Einfeldts, Johnsons, Evelyn and Adrienne T. It was so fun! Afterward Dad let off illegal fireworks and the Lima kids went nuts. So did Evelyn. She kept looking for things to blow up with firecrackers.

Monday: Boring. Did homework.

Tuesday: Went to Lugano's for dinner! Was very disappointed. Food was over-rated. Service sucked big time. My risotto cost $27!!! I can freaking make risotto and grilled chicken at home for $3.00! (Although the wine reduction would be tough because I don't have any wine and buying alcohol in Utah is ridiculous... for the fact that I would get dirty looks from neighbors if they saw cooking wine in my cupboard and I have no idea where liquor stores are around here...)

And here we are.

I have been working on some fun little projects for my nephew, unborn Noah. I started sewing cute shapes on onesies. Here is one of them. It's a pear! (I also started a rain cloud with rain drops going across the front of the tummy.) Also started a tag blankie. Here is the fabric. The lighter blue and green is Minky fabric- so it's soft and cuddly (almost like microfleece). Can't wait for the final product to be finished. It would be a lot easier if I actually owned a sewing machine. Oh man, I'm getting so crafty. (Although I still and will always refuse to scrapbook.)

Also! Funny work story. One Monday my co-worker, Bobbie and I had a couples massage. The husband kept joking around the entire massage. I asked him what he did for a living and he replied with three answers, "I work in a cafeteria. I read the notes doctors leave on their napkins and that's how I learn stuff." "I tried to go to massage school but they wouldn't let me because they said I rubbed people the wrong way." "Actually I dropped out of med school because I wanted to be a breakdancer on SNL. I even made a sequin bandana to wear, but it fell apart." Kind of a bizarre guy, right? So after the massage we were changing the sheets for our next massage and I found these on his side of the table. Yes. Huge women's Victoria's Secret panties. I totally thought it was a joke (which is why I took a picture of them with my phone). We had a good laugh. Then in the middle of our next massage we heard a knock on the door (VERY unusual). Bobbie answered the door. It was his wife! She asked if we had seen some panties because she had left hers there on accident. Bobbie literally had to pull them out of the garbage (because we threw them away, obviously) and give them back to her. So embarrassing!!

Anyway! It feels good to sit in my bedroom with the fan on and the windows open. I love the Rockies in the summer time.

Barefoot Running

Justin is doing a physics project on Barefoot Running and the differences between forces on the body during barefoot running as opposed to running with shoes. Unfortunately, he somehow missed the big black bolded warning on the training tips website that said, "Build up slowly!" So after his 2.5 mile run barefoot, he has some sad looking feet. I would post pictures of us popping the blisters and draining them so it won't ruin our backpacking trip to Lake Blanche this weekend... but someone might read this and throw up.

Privatization and Goodbye Facebook

Hello few readers.

You might have noticed that my blog is now private. I didn't know everyone's email address so there are many people I would still like to invite to read this but just haven't been invited yet. I have privatized this blog for many reasons. Mainly it has been done to create space between our little family and others out in the cyber/real world. Nuff said.

Also! I got rid of my facebook account. As my friend, Jocelyn wrote in her blog, facebook is not a good place for those with addictive personalities. For the same reason that I cannot have potato chips or french fries in the house, I cannot have a facebook profile any longer. Justin still has his Facebook if you want to keep in touch with him. Or... we could just actually talk on the phone! If that is still too personal, I do love texting.

With that said, I am off to get things done that normally would wait until after my facebook stalking was complete. (I.e. apply for jobs, write papers, study for tests, work on some crafting projects I have going on, cleaning, running, etc.)

Tribute

My cousin Mike sent me an article today that was published about Denver water treatment history. In it my Granddad was mentioned a few times and this picture of him (on the right) as Lab Chief taking the USGS director on a tour in 1976 was posted. My Granddad was a chemist for the US Government and worked under the US Geological Survey for many years. He was a leader in setting up water treatment in different states across the US including Denver and Utah. He retired with my Grandma in Virginia for 20 something years. Last fall we moved him here because he suffers from Alzheimer's disease and now he stays at Silverado Alzheimer's Retirement Home. My Grandma also suffers from less severe Alzheimer's and lives at Sunrise Assisted Living just up the street.
I'm so grateful for their contributions to society. I love them both very much!