Hawaii

Exactly three weeks ago, I went to Hawaii for 11 days. I went by myself and met up with people I know going to BYU-Hawaii. My time there consisted of beaches, hiking, beaches, great food, beaches, dances, beaches, hanging out with friends, and beaches. Needless to say I got a good tan! I found a fantastic deal via Hawaiian Air (my whole air travel cost a total of $316). The pictures are various adventures throughout my tenure there...

Jumping Off a Bridge

So I ended up bungee jumping off Navajo Bridge in Marble Canyon (next to the Grand Canyon) this past Saturday. It was a liberating experience, that's for sure. After having been skydiving and bungee jumping, I would have to say that bungee jumping is more thrilling, at least the jump I did was. The bridge was 467 ft from the water and the drop with the bungee is 430 ft. Nuts? Yeah, I know I am.

This is the full view (not me jumping)

This is my jump

The Past 6 Months

As you may well know, I haven't posted for the past six months. It's not for lack of anything going on, quite the opposite. It's lack of time and, honestly, motivation to write it all down! So we'll do a month by month recount starting with August...

August: Started my LAST semester at BYU!!!
September: Had three med school interviews in Arizona and Kansas City.
October: Got accepted to Midwestern University in Arizona and KCUMB in Kansas City.
November: Applied for the Health Professions Scholarship through the Air Force. Turned 24.
December: Graduated from BYU in Physiology and Developmental Biology with a minor in Chinese!!! Spent Christmas will all 27 members of my family. Found out I was selected by the Air Force for the Health Profession Scholarship. Busy month...
January: Get a bachelors and work at a grocery store... don't worry I set my sights high. (I really like my job and thoroughly enjoy some of the people I work with. I only needed a job for five months or so so it was crazy for me to try and find a new one. I'm not trying to justify anything but it makes me laugh to think about it nonetheless.)
February: Commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the Air Force. They came to my parents' home so my terminally ill father could participate. It really meant a lot to him, my family, and me.
Soon to Come: I'm bungee jumping from the Navajo bridge into the Grand Canyon! Height of bridge- 400 ft. + Length of bungee rope - 200 ft = 1 freaky free fall

Overall, I've had a lot of fun and continue to do so. Here are some pictures to help visualize!

Happenings

Breathe... I know it's startling, but I am actually posting something again. I figured I would give a quick update so people know I'm not dead. The summer is almost over again (double sigh) but I have been busy. I did school during the spring term and finally had a break (after two years!) I have taken the MCAT (Medical College Application Test) and did all right on it and am in the process of completing my secondary applications for med school (I'm done with the primaries and have applied to 20 schools total). I graduate in December and since there are no ceremonies then I am walking in a couple days! I have been working a ton at Macey's Grocery Store as a supervisor during the days and evenings and still have my Friday night graveyard. As for the fun, I went to Arizona for a week, went and did service at an orphanage in Mexico a few days later, went to a Kenny Chesney concert, went hiking with Tricia, and enjoyed time with friends and family. I have tried a series of new cookies from the Mrs. Fields cookbook but none of them were very good except the Jessica's Marshmallow Cloud recipe. Chocolate cookie with chocolate chips and marshmallow baked right in. So good. Click here for the recipe. I did 350* instead of 325*. I'll be sure to get a picture in a cap and gown and then I'll post some pictures!

Happy Pi Day!

Every March, there is the math nerd's dream holiday: March 14 = 3.14 = circumference/diameter = π = pi = an excuse to celebrate. There was an apartment in my complex who was having a pi party and asked if I would be able to make a pie. I was excited to try since I had never made a pie before. I ended up making three different pies: sweet potato pie, chocolate tart with a ganache and fresh raspberries, and a Tarte Alsacienne, a caramelized apple pie with a custard. The latter two recipes I got from a friend I met in the MTC who's a gourmet pastry chef in California and has even been on TV before (Thanks Sara!). My favorite was the Chocolate Tart. Hope you fellow math nerds out there will be able to celebrate with me next year in approximately 362 days 1 hour and 43 minutes... (sometimes I wonder why I don't have glasses)

Chocolate Tart

Tarte Alsacienne

Spandex Man

Last week I went to a birthday party and it was super hero themed. The super heroes did not necessarily have to be real so I came up with Spandex Man. I definitely turned a few heads...

Shout Out to Elizabeth

Happy Birthday Elizabeth!!! Hope you have a fabulous day!