Monsoon Season in Arizona

Every year in Arizona between the months of July and September we have what is called "Monsoon Season". It consists of spontaneous dust storms, tumble weeds, rain, thunder and awesome lightening. I filmed the following video around this time last year--you'll find me with my camera out quite often attempting to catch something spectacular! This particular night we had rolling thunder for hours on end and lightening constantly blowing up the sky! I had never seen anything like it in my life!


I love this time of year--it's unpredictable--the day will start out sunny, no clouds in the sky; all of the sudden the sky begins to turn brown and the storm begins! More often then not they don't last very long but can cause quite a bit of damage from what they call micro-bursts (small, very intense downdraft that descends to the ground resulting in a strong wind divergence). Tonight while I was driving home a lightening bolt shot across the sky right in front of me--it was intense! There have been times where the thunder has been so loud with lightening immediately after you'd think the lightening struck the backyard!

Time Traveling

Have you ever wondered what you'd look in styles from the past?? I found a program that you can upload your picture and make a yearbook picture starting from the year 1950 up to the year 2000! My mom and I got quite a kick out of some of the results!

Masterpiece

My friend Luis created this picture from one taken of us at my sisters wedding! I'm taking a vote: Mustache or No Mustache??

Good ol' Gallup

This past weekend I went to Gallup, New Mexico- my hometown- for a family reunion and it was also the 88th Annual Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial. Ceremonial is held every summer and Indian tribes from all over the nation come to town. There is a big parade and then at night the tribes all perform their traditional dances at Red Rock amphitheatre. It is really neat to see!

This is my Nanny and I- when I was a little girl everyone called me Louise Jr.- it cleared the "Milk Man" theory in regards to where I came from with my blonde hair and blue/green eyes since my parents are both dark hair dark eyes..

Killer Grasshopper

We stopped to eat on our way up to Gallup this weekend and this is what was crawling on my moms car! It's was SO gross. My mom and I walked up close to it so I could get a good shot and as I was watching it thru my camera recording it, it flew away and my mom and I SCREAMED!! LOL It was awesome! In the middle of all the chaos I pushed stop so you can't here the screams and get the whole effect! Sorry. :) (I couldn't get the video to upload normal so I had to post it via You Tube)

San Francisco

I LOVE San Francisco!! I love the weather, grant it I've been told I've lucked out the two times I've been there :) I love the people, the atmosphere, the architecture and especially their public transportation! This weekend I went to visit friends and attend a young single adult conference. My weekend started Thursday night- Kambria, my close friend and old college roommate picked me up from the airport with her friend Ciara. We went back to Kambria's and made chocolate chip cookies. Friday Kambria had to work all day so I took the bus into the city to wander around. The buildings and stores are incredible! Ross is four stories, Old Navy is two stories and Forever 21 is ginormous!! I came across the Farmers Market and had lunch there. Friday night Kambria, Ciara and I went and saw Paper Heart- I highly recommend seeing that movie when it gets to a theatre near you; it was really funny and sweet!

Saturday the real party started. We arrived at the Oakland temple where the conference was held. It was beautiful and there were over 2000 single adults- the turnout was impressive. There were many workshops and great talks given. Steve Young spoke and did a really good job! I've grown up around Steve and it was fun to see him in that atmosphere relating to things us as single adults are going through right now. After hours of workshops and a session of speed dating it was time to party! There were games, a service project, karaoke and of course a dance! Chris and I went and played Wii bowling and I almost beat him!! So close--I got the hang of it a tad to late...next time :)

Sunday was nice and relaxing with church and closing exercises. There were two talks that to me stood out the most. We had a lady who spoke in Relief Society about money management. It was really insightful and I gained a fresh perspective on ways to save and to be more aware of what my real needs are verses my wants. Another speaker I really enjoyed was Elder Lawrence's talk. He challenged us to pray and ask the Lord what it is that we as individuals need to work on or change in order to progress. He reiterated how personal and individualized the process truly is. What I need to work and focus on is different then what my mom for instance may need to do- the Lord is aware of us individually. He gave an account where a persons answer was simply to stop drinking Pepsi. Steve kind of touched on that too. He mentioned that when he would seek dating advice the advice was--- Pray, Good Luck and Pray! We laughed but really that's what it all comes down to. Later that night I went over to the "Frat House" and experienced the strategic game of Acquire--great game!

Monday was a day of pure adventure! I took the bus into the Financial District and met Chris for lunch. I enjoyed the company and the conversation- it was nice! He suggested I go over to the Presidio after lunch and that was something I had wanted to see as well. Chris directed me to the Presidigo and off I went! Thank you Chris! The Presidio is beautiful! It's a historic army post that has a lot of history and original buildings. It has been home to three nations. Along my adventure I met Mora and Joseph, they are park rangers there, and while we were on the shuttle we were admiring the houses in the area and they said that if you live in the homes you can't paint the walls and there are strict rules as to what you can and can't do to the outside- random fact I learned. In the Presidio you will find forests to explore, a national cemetery, Baker Beach, Chrissy Field and you can also access the Golden Gate Bridge. Next time I'm in San Francisco that is somewhere I'd like to spend more time; it's a very calm atmosphere and I could see how you could find clarity as you walk around or sit on the beach taking in the views. I hung out on the beach for awhile and picked up a cool sea shell and some neat rocks for Bubba. By the way the water was ice cold! Did I mention this entire adventure took place with me wearing heels!! Yeah that's right! :)


The fog is amazing when it starts to set in...the sky was clear when I first got down to the bridge;you could see the bridge really well. Within the hour the fog set in and the bridge was gone. The wind also started to pick up and it got a bit chilly.


After the Presidio I made my way back to Kambria's to get my stuff, I hailed a taxi to the BART (train) station and took the train to the the airport all by myself! LOVED IT!! While I was waiting for the train this creepy guy came up to me and asked if I liked R&B music? I said "no"- I really do like R&B just not at that moment :) he then went on to ask me if I would go out with him to that I also said "no" and then the kicker....he got a little closer and said "I have a room we can go to" Seriously?? Of course I said "no"-- it was a little scary only because I had all my stuff with me and I may have seemed a little naive but he walked away and I was safe! I got to the airport safely and while I was in line to check my bag there was the cutest little girl in front of me with her dad and young brother. She was probably two and her dad was holding her. All of the sudden she stopped playing with her dad, looked over his shoulder and said "Hi mom!" Her dad stopped and looked back over his shoulder to see who "mom" was then said "No, mom's in the car!" She just smiled and continued to play. I was quite impressed with the dad. He had two kids under the age of 4, he had to change flight plans, check in bags, keep the kids occupied and also keep his little girl from climbing onto the luggage scale trying to get to the conveyor belt. She started screaming when the lady at the counter took her car seat--apparently that happens often and the whole time he stayed calm and kept it all under control! I give him an A+ in multi-tasking.

Overall this weekend was fantastic! I have yet to be disappointed by the city. It was great to see old friends (old for some as in since April, LOL) and fun to meet new people I hope to keep in touch with! I'm really glad I was able to go--thank you Kambria for your hospitality. Love you SO much KamBam!

Grandma Hale

I think about my Grandma Hale often. My moms mom, Doris, passed away from Breast Cancer in October 1993. It's her name seen on my cars Breast Cancer license plate. Although I was only 11 at the time she passed away, I have very fond memories of the short time I did have with her. I remember sitting at the piano singing along while she played. She loved to play songs out of the Primary Childrens Song book- A Childs Prayer was one of her favorites. When I was old enough she taught me the top hand on the piano and after she passed away I took lessons determined to finish what she had started. My siblings and I would wake up in the morning and she would be sitting next to us on the bed waiting to say "Good Morning", gently running her fingers through our hair! It was such a calming gesture. Doris was such a strong, remarkable woman..I see where my mom gets it from. When my Grandma was sick, us kids would go to Idaho and stay with my Grandpa and Aunt Randy for the summer while my mom took Grandma to Texas for treatment! I remember missing my mom so much and being really homesick not fully understanding the extent of what was going on; but that the sacrifices being made were necessary. My grandma fought a long hard battle and our family did everything we could to save her! Sacrifices made then that seemed at the time SO big I realize now how really small of a sacrifice giving up time with my mom was so that she could spend those final moments with hers. I cannot imagine not having my mom here with me! I know that my mom thinks of her mom all the time and has moments she wishes Doris was still here. I am so grateful for the knowlege and testimony of eternal families and I know without a doubt that that's what keeps my mom going day to day. It's dumbfounding and tragic how many people in my life have been effected by breast cancer and/or cancer in general. My good friend Jasons mom passed away, my friend Justins wife passed away at the age of 25, my Great Grandma Garrard lost her battle, a sweet lady at my office is currently batteling the disease as well as a co-workers wife--that is only naming a few. I am so passionate about this cause and pray that a cure is found and one day soon we will be able to save more if not all of those men and women who are fighting for their lives against this cruel disease.

Last night on So You Think You Can Dance two dancers performed a contemporary piece called "This Womans Work". It's about a woman who is fighting breast cancer and her close friend is right there with her fighting and supporting her through everything! My mom and I just cried--it hit so close to home! The passion in this dance and the story it portrayed was one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen!