One Down, Three to Go

JD is back from Arizona, he drove the 11 1/2 hours there Thursday, interviewed Friday, and drove the 11 1/2 hours back right after his interview, getting home about 2:30 AM. That is a lot of driving, most of it was in the dark. With Midwestern down, he just has three more places to go this month, two of which this upcoming week! -I liked the Christmas light covered cacti pictures he took, one of which is featured in this picture if you look close.

Kindred Spirits

Today was Erin's birthday and while she had SO much fun in the morning with dental work, I think the evening may have been just a little bit better. It was so fun hanging out with Erin and her family as we celebrated her turning 25. We have been friends forever, that is, since my first day of 1st grade at Lomond View Elementary in 1991 when Erin invited me to play with her at recess, we weren't even in the same class and I was the new kid. We have had many adventures, hikes, road trips, concerts in rain and snow, who knows how many pictures we have taken together, many letters back and forth during her mission to the Land of Anne, late night chats, plans and schemes, baking, running, dreaming, crafting, sewing, jumping, cleaning, moving, singing, and the list goes on and on. I am so grateful to have had a kindred spirit in my life all of this time, and I look forward to many more adventures that lay in store for the next 20 years. HAPPY BIRTHDAY ERIN!!!!

Interviews, Planes, Hotels, Cars, Friends, Family

So the past couple weeks have been nothing short of insane when it comes to our future. JD has received 4 interview requests over the past 3 weeks (including one today) and seeing as they are all over the country, it has been a little stressful keeping everything straight, between flight times, prices, hotels and their location in relation to the schools, car rental details, maps from airports to hotels, contacting friends and family to find a place to sleep or ride from the airport, and the list goes on. The main summary is this: Midwestern University, Phoenix Arizona, November 10th; LECOM Bradenton Florida, November 17th; Pacific University, Portland Oregon, November 19th; and LECOM Erie Pennsylvania, November 29th. This equals a lot of stress and a lot of money. Not to say we aren't grateful, hopefully we will get accepted at a good school and will know as early as Christmas where and what we will be doing and when, that is a nice thought indeed.

First Dam 5K

Imagine a dark, brisk, chilly, morning. There is fresh snow on the ground and small flurries all around you. A layer of ice hugs your car windows as you try to scrape it off. Your breath hangs on the air. Despite several layers of clothing the cold is biting. You are experiencing this for the sole purpose of running around the mouth of an icy cold canyon. Joy.

While I was quite doubtful prior to running, the First Dam 5k turned out to be a pretty fun experience, and while running the temperature was just fine. Aimee and Kariel did wonderful on their 10K and I had fun doing the 5k. Indian food afterwards was fun too.

Perfection

JD's grandparents gave us tickets to attend the Utah Symphony Orchestra with them last night. They had a guest violinst, James Ehnes, and he was amazing. Every once in a while you have moments where you are witnessing what is near perfection examples include: U2, after 20+ years of practice can throw an amazing concert, the Olympians have dedicated most of their lives to their sport of choice and you get to see the near perfects take the gold every 2 years, and last night I can add James Ehnes to that list. It was fascinating to watch him play and amazing to hear what was coming out of that 1715 Marsick Stradivarius of his (as in a real Stradivarius, worth well over $1,000,000). That's right, I watched a Master Violinist play his Stradivarius-no big deal.

The Arts

Megan, Spencer, and I attended the Eccles Art Center in Ogden today. It was an interesting experience. We wanted to do something different and new and this definately fit in that category. The artwork on display was neat, mostly landscape with a focus animal of some kind: moose, beers, pheasants, etc. Though to be honest, I think we were more fascinated by the Eccles mansion itself. Considering when it was built, it is a very impressive house. It had opening windows on pulley systems, gas heaters in every room, we counted about 6 bathrooms, and we aren't sure how many bedrooms, Spencer was a fan of all the mirrors and the baby looking back at him in each of them as well. It was a fun, random, free activity if you are looking for something to do.

The Last Cookie

JD's mom makes cookies for friends and family every Halloween and we are one of the lucky recipients, well kind of this year. JD told me he was on his way home and took a little longer than usual. He walked in the door and related his sad story: The cookies had been forgotten on the car roof upon his starting to drive home, they fell off the car and went all over the road. JD seeing this went back, and picked up all of the mess off the road and was able to retrieve one survior. He too has now perished.