Ice Skating

Trader Joe's. Rugged? Heartless?

It's Friday afternoon, it's been quite a week at work, and it's time for TRADER JOE's!
As I finish picking up the few things that I went to the store for: apples, apricots, pecans, and bread, I make my way over to the jerky section... It's one of my favorite foods when I'm feeling a need for increased protein and iron.

Beef Jerky, Turkey Jerky, and BUFFALO JERKY were my options.Thoughts of "I don't think I've ever had Buffalo Jerky..." run through my mind. Buffalo it is!

As I bite into the jerky, images of lone buffalo and buffalo herds run through my mind... Ahhhh! My question for any readers is... Why is it that I can enjoy chicken, beef, turkey, and all other meats without any second thoughts, but the moment that I try to simply enjoy a piece of bison, I begin to have Buffalo dance through my head?

My trip to Trader Joe's today was quite wonderful. However, I feel a little more rugged, heartless, or something of the nature as a result. Trader Joe's. Rugged. Heartless... I'm not quite sure?

Fair? Great!

I've decided the LIFE IS NOT FAIR! Why? Day-after-day, tender mercies come by the dozen, even in sets like 9 tennis balls! My friend, Randylin and I enjoy running together periodically, and recently we found ourselves on a picturesque tennis court at the conclusion of a great long run into DC and back...

Picturesque? The photos don't give the vibrant blue court in contrast with the golden fall leaves and neon green tennis balls justice.
LIFE IS MORE THAN FAIR... It's MORE THAN FAIR... It's GOOD.

I count my blessings many as I continue to see how carefully our Father in Heaven places people in my life who remind me that He will never leave us alone.

There are more posts to come that will show additional evidence of this truth. I am convinced that when we make a choice, acting on faith and not sight nor fear, Father in Heaven will sustain us, and we will then have the choice to open our eyes and see the tender mercies that will come frequently in our days of experience.

Is there only one right answer? Who can relate?

26.2 Reasons...

What a day! I woke up this morning to this sunrise out my bedroom window!

On the way to work, I developed a strategy in my mind of how I would best celebrate my 26th birthday during all hours of the day... Throughout the day I will work on this list, and at the completion of the day, it will be finalized.

Why? Because, honestly, celebrating a day that define the aging of an individual can become a less-than-desirable annual tradition. Nonetheless, there is SO MUCH to celebrate, so here it goes... 26.2 (you'll understand as you read or if you already know one of my quirks) reasons it's great to be 26! (xie xie hr)

Warning: My students are reviewing fractions, decimals, exponents,
and more, so I've provided a brush-up for all readers as well...

10/10= Beautiful skies, night and day
26/13= Legs, knees, feet, toes and more that are built to run, bike, swim and more
12/4= Students who take risks and ask questions
28/7= Music that inspires progress, peace, and adventure
25/5= Roommates
36/6= Friends of past and present who continue to inspire and encourage
49/7= Siblings: in-laws included, and Madi (my favorite out-of-womb niece!)
2^4= Parents: after all these years, they are north stars
3^3= Grandparents: living and passed-on
10^1= Heritage: Skeen, Behrens, Aea, Chang, Williams, Baird, Pincock, West...
121/11= Scriptures- reminds me of the most important of all the "important" pieces of life
144^(1/2)= Temples- Once again,I have managed to find myself living in a place so close to a temple!
-26/-2= Transportation: reliable brakes, strong engine and protection from the elements during dark mornings and cold nights
14.0= Technology: cell phones, emails...
45/3= Fruit: I understand Eve's choice of giving into the forbidden fruit (hehe- yes, there's more to it than that)
4^2= Running Water
17.0= Electricity: What would I do without light in the morning or power to recharge my computer!?
9^(1/2) * 6= Education: the more I learn the more I realize I still need to learn
19.0= Work: one of the best decisions I've made in the past year
800^(1/3)= Health: can't take this for granted
5^2 - 2^2= Shoes: Chacos, slippers, slip-ons, runners, and more make for happy feet
-242/-11= Collaboration: team work is so empowering
12167^(1/3)= Seasons: summers even in the middle of winter
300/12.5= Honesty: makes the world a better place
25.0= Jesus Christ: infinite atonement that gives meaning and purpose to me and all that I value
676^(1/2)= Prophet: safety and peace that comes from following their council in uncertain times.
26.2= Goals: driving forces that keep me moving (in more ways than one!)

Plans for Dad's Visit

Running on the Mt. Vernon trail is one of my favorite traditions after work. For about a 1/2 mile stretch, there are commercial jets that fly very close over head as they approach and depart the Reagan National Airport. I love it!

When Dad comes to visit me (hint-hint), I will take him to watch the airplanes so he can call out the model numbers by memory. Day and night, it's a sweet sight to enjoy. There are frequently individuals and families standing or sitting as they observe these incredible machines at work.

"Ghanaian Style"

Check out these colorful dresses that these women from Ghana wore to Stake Conference last month! Apparently they have a place where they can make custom-designed fabric... They came into the cultural hall wearing prophet's picture! Wow! My friend, Adam, loved them so much that he said it was "the highlight of stake conference" for him!

Math Zone

Math Night in the Math Zone! Though late in recording, this was such a fun event that the math department put on for the families and students at the school. From a "Pi" Walk to computer math games to guessing their teachers' and leaders' heights, parents and students engaged in fun with math! It was so much fun to meet the parents of many of my 7th graders and see them outside of the classroom! (Pictured: co-math-teachers from the 7th and 8th grade teams, minus a few- they are so much fun to work with!)

Guard and Reunion

Please say hello the local, "SQUIRREL E. GUARD" that is currently serving at his favorite post, in front of my car, which is in need of a wash when the rain ceases this week! These creatures are EVERYWHERE... I often wonder if they are going to attack me when I am walking from my car to my apartment. They have, fortunately, stayed to themselves thus far, although I'm not going to put it past them.
To complete a grand Saturday, I got to spend the latter part with two roommates from BYU that I lived with before the mission! Crystal and I went to the DC temple in Kensington, MD, followed by the adult session of our Stake Conference in Alexandria ,VA where we sat just less than 10 feet from Karen, another roommate from the same year at BYU! We discovered about a month ago, after each relocating to this area for different reasons, that we were all in the same Stake! What are the chances!? After a great meeting on missionary work, we went out for ice cream. I'm convinced that it's not just coincidence that we became close friends years ago, nor is it coincidence that Karen and James (her husband) and Crystal chose to live in this particular area. This is not the first time I have had enjoyed spending time with these friends out here, and it certainly is not the last. Miracles and tender mercies come so frequently.

"Dutch Bike Dutch" or Bust!

Two genius girls put together this tradition which was done for the 5th time this weekend... A group of 50 plus young adults met up near Lancaster, PA on Friday night, most coming from the DC area (some from other parts on the East Coast)...Many stayed the night in a local hotel while others toughed the cold night camping. Thankfully, I went with the hotel route and enjoyed a warm bed in preparation for some great cycling. Saturday morning we split up into numerous groups, some going 15, 20, and 30 miles, while a small handful of us chose the 60 miler. Randy, Travis, Courtney, Joy, Katie and I took off on the same route as most the others for about 10 miles before we split directions and the 6 of us adventured on some other roads to make for a longer ride.
The Amish country near Lancaster was beautiful! It was so refreshing to be out in the middle of open fields, surrounded by a people whose beliefs and culture is centered on simple basics. It was not uncommon to see locals on bikes, horses, in buggies, or on foot.

As our ride continued, we enjoyed more and more fields and plenty of trees covered in colorful leaves, a mark of a gorgeous Fall in the east. In time, we decided to split for various reasons, so Kim, Courtney and I continued the ride together, only to discover that we had been misled at a very important turning point, which resulted in climbing 4-6 miles of hills and adding approximately 10 miles to our ride.
(Left- Travis, Katie, Me and Courtney)

The last 30 miles was completed with Katie... a stalwart cyclist. Beautiful surroundings made the ride enjoyable in all. I hope to go back out there in the spring and/or summer to enjoy even more! What a blessing it is to have opportunities to explore other parts of this diverse country that we live in. We are so fortunate to have the freedoms we do the worship and exercise faith and agency as we desire.

Here are some pics that I took on my phone while on my bike... Enjoy, and let me know if you ever need a tour guide! :)