The Glass Castle

I have a new favorite book. It is called, "The Glass Castle". I realize this book isn't going to be for everyone but I really enjoyed it. It was partially because I felt like I could relate to some things in this memoir but at the same time the life of this family was so much crazier than mine that it made me appreciate my family more. When I say this book isn't for everyone I should say that there is a bit of language, that some people may not appreciate. As I read I never really wanted to put the book down. I can't say that there was a dull moment in the whole thing. It speaks of trials and triumphs and overcoming all that life can throw at you. It talks about the love between siblings, of parents to their children, and children for their parents. It talks about the destructive forces that work to destroy families and the love that continues to bring them back together. It is very well written and I can't say I have a single criticism. I thought the author did an amazing job compiling her life's history.

I got to go to the police station today

I am told that I have a tight IT band

which is a common injury for runners. I was told that my IT band is as tight as a guitar string. Well it is a good thing for one lucky son of a gun because I chose to go running at the park instead of my normal running route. As I was running by the park pavilion I noticed that I had stepped over someone's wallet. I almost just kept running but then I thought someone probably wanted that. After I got a drink at the fountain I asked the people at the pavilion if they lost a wallet. A few of them jokingly shouted out, "If there is money in it." I lied and said there wasn't, even though there was a whole $22 in cash and a check. They said that they didn't then. I was running around with the wallet in my hand and I got to thinking that I should check the guy’s license to see if I could find where he lived. I recognized the address so I ran to his apartment but he apparently didn't live there anymore. SO then I thought I would just take it to the police station that was nearby thinking someone would be there. The doors were locked at 8:00am on a Saturday, but I picked up the phone in the call box and they said that they would send a squad car to the station to get it from me. He took down my info and then I ran home. I am now waiting for the big reward headed my way. :)

Zion's Trip

Last weekend I went to Zion's Nat’l Park. Aside from being brutally hot it was a wonderful trip. I went with my friend Heather for her family’s reunion. We enjoyed the hikes and met some friends on the trails. There seemed to be an abundance of Europeans. We met a couple from Denmark and I was happy to learn that the guy Ivan was actually from Serbia. I should have gotten a picture with them. Ivan was in LOVE with the Angel’s landing hike. He said he loved the trail and wanted to rename it Ivan’s trail. His girlfriend Katarina was not prepared for the hike and they didn’t know how much water they needed. Heather’s dad is a doctor and her uncle is a firefighter. They saw she wasn’t doing so well as she was very red in the face. They asked how much water they had and they showed their liter water bottle they brought to share with about a cup of water left in it. Heather’s uncle Lan had suffered heat stroke on this trail before so he wasn’t taking any chances and he offered them the rest of his water from his camel back since we were now headed down and they still had some climbing to do. He started to drain it into their bottle and Ivan was surprised how cold it was. Lan had filled it with ice water. When Katarina saw she was getting some fresh cold water she said, “You are our saviors.” We hiked the Narrows, Angel’s Landing and Emerald Pools. It was good to do so much in such a short time. Anyway here are some photos…

Today's Devotional

Today I was in training for Seminary & Institute employees to learn about finances. We started with a devotional this morning. Bro. Bowman gave the devotional. He was an institute teacher when the shootings happened at Virginia Tech a few years ago. The gunman shot 32 students and then shot himself. Out of the horror he shared a few things that showed the Lord’s hand in the catastrophe. He said that the shootings happened on a Monday and the next weekend Elder Bednar was scheduled to go out and speak to the area. Before the shootings happened Elder Bednar questioned why the Lord was sending him out there since there wasn’t going to be a new stake presidency called. He knew that there must have been some reason for him to go so he waited to see what the Lord’s purpose was. After the shootings Elder Bednar had a meeting with the students and institute staff it was held in a fairly small space. He asked all those who were not students or staff of the institute to leave the meeting. Brother Bowman said that Elder Bednar shook the hand of everyone who attended that meeting.

He shared another story from the stake president who was a teacher in the same building where the shootings happened. The stake president heard the shootings as he was in his office two floors above them. He heard students screaming and decided that the best things to do was barricade himself in his office and get down under his desk. As the shootings happened, he received a call from the area authority who would also be visiting that weekend. He reached above his desk and answered the phone. He spoke with the area authority and seemed to forget what was happening at the school because he didn’t even mention it. After the shootings the area authority put together the fact that he called at the moment the shootings had happened.

The stake president later shared a scripture from D&C 9:9 that he saw with new eyes, “But if it be not right you shall have no such feelings, but you shall have a stupor of thought that shall cause you to forget the thing which is wrong; therefore, you cannot write that which is sacred save it be given you from me.”

In that moment of chaos, the stake president said that he forgot about the shootings because preparing for the Lord’s work was the most important thing for him to be focused on at that moment.

Brother Bowman said that he had many other stories to share but the time didn’t allow. He said that he would be happy to answer any questions we had and now I am kicking myself for not asking him more questions since this was the last day of training.

Rancho Market

I just feel the need to spread the word about Rancho Market. When I first saw this place I just assumed it was an overpriced convenience store. Boy was I wrong! People talk about how they want to eat more fruits and vegetables but then they complain that fresh produce is too expensive. Well you can’t use that excuse ANY more. Rancho Market has AmAzInG deals. I have seen Oranges 6 lb/99 cents, avocados 6/99 cents, whole pineapple for 99 cents, gala apples, 3 lb/99 cents, mangos 3/99 cents, bananas 5 lb/99 cents. The place is insane! Sure sometimes the produce gets pretty picked over or they run out but what do you expect when the deals are this good?
This place has been especially helpful for me as I purchased a dehydrator and a juicer. I can get the best deals on produce and juice it or dehydrate it for later. I mean what is a single girl like me supposed to do with three pineapples? Here is a link to their ad if you want to check out the latest deals… http://www.ranchomarkets.com/ Oh and I suppose I should mention that it really helps if you speak Spanish.

Fun at Work

So my coworkers decided to spotlight me in the our January newsletter and this is what they had to say about me. I thought it was so funny that I had to share.

According to her co-workers Alicia is “cool, calm, and collected. Triple C –the way to be. The field LOVES that about her.” She is “laid back, even-keeled, and reliable.” Brian said his earliest memory of her was when they were in the hiring process. He said, “As we checked Alicia’s references, before she was hired, we knew she would follow through with assignments and get along with people.” On more of a personal note, “She is a very caring person and does so much for her family.They rely on her opinion, her advice, and they’re a very close family with a lot of love for each other.” She is also “very determined in eating well and running. Don’t race her in a half marathon. She will win!” She came in 1st place in a run from the Draper to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple. One thing that Alicia loves is buying townhomes. Ask her about her experience… then you will understand her love for it. One of her co-workers said, “The time I laugh the hardest is when she impersonates her mother. It’s so hilarious –you need to hear it.” She also “enjoys watching documentaries and she checks them out from the library ALL the time.”When asked what song Alicia would be there were several answers. “One of the songs from Runaway Bride. The men just cannot keep up.” “How about There is Sunshine in my Soul Today. That’s a good one forher.”“John Denver’s Rocky Mountain High—because you get the sense that Alicia communes with planet Earth.”

Nice work Alexis! I might just have to find away to pay you back for this. :)

Deep Freeze

I was able to go home to MN for Christmas. Aside from the deep freeze I was able to have some fun times with family and friends. My highlights included seeing these two scamps…
going to The Body Worlds exhibit at the MOA with Marla and going to the Louvre exhibit at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. This is my favorite piece that I always try to see at the MIA along with Van Gough’s olive tree painting. One day the temp got down to -15 and my mom’s car didn’t start because the fuel lines were frozen. You know it is cold when your eyes are watering because of the cold and your eyelashes start sticking together because there isn’t enough salt in your tears to keep them from freezing together. I won’t be able to listen to anyone complain about the cold here. In comparison this place is like a tropical paradise.