"You do realize, we've started the rest of our lives?"

That's why my 22 yr old coworker said.  Dude, he's so right!  I mean, my dad has been at the same job since he graduated college... is that going to be me?!  At least my job will allow me to move around (too much?) but I've heard that's also hard on families.  It's also sad because the culture at my company is to make a community out of only your coworkers... I'd be hard pressed to find anyone with friends outside of work!  But I'm trying not to let that be me.  I will say I am NOT a fan of Vegas culture (so many reasons!) but Vegas needs JESUS!!  Which means I really need to be trying to love people here and settle in.  I've been here 4 months and I still feel very much like a transplant... I have a terrible attitude, and I spend many days per week thinking about how I can get back to NC.  So, pray for my attitude in this!

I just got back from my first kickboxing class... it was probably the most miserable hour of my life.  So of course I enrolled in classes for 6 months.  You probably should not mess with me ever again because who knows? I might just bash your face in.

You know what is such a blessing?  VISITORS!  And I've had my share recently.  And I welcome many more.  The cool thing about Vegas is that you can NEVER do everything.  There is ALWAYS (literally, any time of day or night) something to do... whether it be perusing flamingo habitats, hiking, gambling, clubbing, or sliding through a shark tank.  SO THAT'S WHAT ANDREA AND I DID!  We had the BEST TIME - so glad she came!  There's so much left on our list to do!

The next weekend was my birthday weekend!  Unfortunately, I had a fever all week... and it was also a stressful work week.  I had been out in the 100+ degree weather all day... I finally come inside to each lunch at like 2... and my boss had planned my birthday party!  SUPER nice of him... but I couldn't help feeling like he could have helped me out with work a little instead of party planning :)  BUT we (lots of coworkers) went to a country western bar, followed by Tryst (a club at the Wynn).  Super fun!  And, because I am just so naturally awesome, there was no waiting in line for me at the club (the boys had to wait an hour, on a THURSDAY night!... oh well).

And then my ACTUAL birthday came, and my boyfriend came and surprised me with JUMPING OFF THE 108TH STORY OF THE STRATOSPHERE!  Really fun and I was VERY surprised (which says a lot, because he is HORRIBLE at secrets... sorry honey).  We also went hiking, played some Memory and Trouble (I won both times), went to church... we were wiped out.  What a fantastic weekend!

After our jump - we were workin the camera :)

Las Vegas from the Stratosphere (my apartment is included in this view)

Impressed with the cactus bushes (I accidentally brushed one and my hand swelled up! (barely))

Cheesin

Stephen kicked my butt, here's proof.. and NO, that's not a wrist tattoo.

Well, I'll leave you with that picture of my butt.  Happy weekend, everyone!

My first visit to SLC

...but not to the airport.  When I visited Stephen in Omaha, I flew through SLC... it's a very boring place, nothing to write home about (which is kind of funny, because in a way I AM writing home about it!)  This time, I spent even longer there as I waited for Stephen's flight to arrive (he was away on business).  That's right - I actually was ready for something before he was - let's remember this day!  I waited 2 hours, met him getting off the plane, and we were finally off to his apartment!

So yes, it is true Stephen has visited me 3 times in Vegas (twice driving!) and met me halfway once.  And I've met him... halfway, once.  And in Omaha once (by using his free flight voucher - he's such a giver).  So I haven't really been the best at this visiting thing.  But I FINALLY DID IT! So, pressure is off.  Oh yeah, and I had a great time.

The days all run together, so here's kind of an outline of what happened out of order -

• Wasatch National Park!  That's the "butt shot" on my facebook... Stephen likes mountain roads (I HATE THEM) so we drove around before ending up at a high point.  Sad to say, the 80 degree weather made me a little chilly... Vegas has ruined me.

• LDS Temple!  Interesting set up.  And interesting faith.  We were in the visitor's center, learning how the temple was constructed, when some Mormons on Mission came to greet us... 45 minutes later, I was still talking to them on their faith.  It's insanely cool how much faith they can have in something someone said (not even documented)... like their modern-day prophets who have visions.  I wish I could have faith that strong in my Savior, who gives me His perfect Word!  They told us a lot about their faith, only to research when we got home and find that they weren't all that... correct.

• Olympic Park!  SLC was the host of the 2002 winter olympics and they have a little park/museum thing... In fact, Stephen got me a little souvenir I'd like to share with you.  See it here.  And if that's not enough proof of his inner-child, here's more:

 

• Park City!  Super cute.  We didn't do too much here except walk around (WE FORGOT TO GO TO THE OUTLET MALL STEPHEN!!!!) and we were going to get lunch somewhere... but you see, we had this thing called WOLFPACK FOOTBALL that we had to take care of, so we were on a schedule.  We did stop to look at cowboy boots, but Stephen decided I wasn't worth $1,499, so we moved on.  We ended up at a great little mexican place called Lorenzo's... their Creamy Cilantro salsa was the best!  We were so full on Mexican (and Wolfpack victory!!) that we didn't even need dinner.  

 ...Stephen pretty much told me he'd rather be at a tailgate in NC than in SLC with me, his favorite person ever.  But I guess when you're dating a Tailgate Extraordinaire you just have to deal with these things.  For the record though, he tried to take back what he said.

• Church!  We clapped for the visitors.  We clapped for Jesus.  We clapped for the offering.  We clapped because the volunteers did a good job last weekend.  We clapped for the songs.  We clapped when the songs were over.  Am I making a point here?

• Hiked! Our "4-mile moderate" hike was not so moderate... or 4-mile-ish... or clearly marked, so the "waterfall" we now think was referring to was a small stream with current.  But, thinking we hadn't reached our destination, we continued onto the much more strenuous parts... for a LONG TIME. Here's a view... we are actually looking towards the cars right now, but you can't see them.  Just trust me when I say we were very high.

LUCKILY, I made the call to turn around, because it was getting dark when we finally reached the car.  The thing is, 7-mile hikes are AWESOME... when you PLAN for a 7-mile hike.  But we brought 3 water bottles and a camera.

• Passed Out! After the hike, we laid on the floor before mustering up strength to take showers.  We ordered Pizza Hut, got a RedBox, and called it a night.  It was so great!  We were definitely exhausted.  

AND SHUFORD IS ENGAGED! CONGRATS MAN! SO EXCITED FOR YA'LL!

AND DAVID IS ENGAGED! DUDE SO AWESOME!

On another relationship note... DISTANCE IS AWFUL I HATE IT.  Without going into to much detail, feel free to pray about this in Stephen's/my life.

Hope everyone had a fantastic Labor Day weekend!  Just to let you know, my birthday is coming up (9/16) and so if you want to send me money and presents you can! :)