Avett Brothers

Last night I had the opportunity to see the Avett Brothers perform at the Gallivan Center up in SLC. The only thing I really knew about this band is that they were my friend Taylor's favorite, and they were an Indie-Folk Rock group. Never have I gotten into this style of music, but I actually really enjoyed them! I recognized a few of their songs, but only because I've heard Taylor play them on his guitar. It was a great night, and I was even able to enjoy some eye candy from one of the brothers ;)

Here was one of my favorites from last night:

Seth Avett last night. Total Hunk.

My bad

Nailed It.

TRAILS

Last weekend I was able to volunteer at a kayak/sailing camp put on by TRAILS (Therapeutic Recreational And Independent Lifestyles) up in East Canyon. 

A little background information, I heard about TRAILS at this years X-Dance Film Festival and immediately fell in love. The program works with spinal chord and brain injury patients who want to participate in outdoor/sports activities. Whenever I get a day off I drive up to the U, where almost all of the activities take place, and help out with anything I can.

TRAILS

I headed up to the canyon on Friday morning and spent most of the day setting up tents/cots, signing people in, cooking, and preparations needed for the kayaks. Saturday I was helping out more down by the water, and was even able to convince the guy who was driving the "rescue" boat to take me tubing. This was the first time I have been on a boat in quite a while, let alone tubing. I didn't let the fact that I was in my regular clothes deter my excitement, even though I now suffer from the most outrageous tan lines you ever did see!

I wish I would have taken pictures to show how fantastic the event really was, but it is one I will never forget.
Thank you Tanja Kari for organizing and leading such a wonderful group! Here's to many more memories to come, cheers!

You're A Star, Baby.

So many women consider themselves second-class citizens. If you fall under that category, I ask you to STOP! Quit judging yourself through someone else's eyes.

"... We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and famous?’ Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God.Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that people won’t feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in all of us. And when we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.’    Maryanne Williamson

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Be the leading lady of your own life! You are the star!

It is time to know that you are awesome.

Being awesome is now your new religion.

 Welcome to the Cult of Awesome. 

Its very exclusive, but there are lots of perks.

Lets Do It.

"Life is a Daring adventure or nothing at all" -Helen Keller

One of my all time favorite quotes and words which I live by.

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Stephanie Renee Calton and I have literally been the best of friends since I can remember. I do not recall the first time we met, but we were already inseparable by the time kindergarten rolled around. This girl is my soul mate of a best friend. I do not find it necessary to list many of the million reasons why we are the coolest best friends in the world, except for one.

I emailed Stephanie while at work one day and told her it was time for us to finally take the vacation we have always wanted to take. There was never a specific location, but we knew we wanted an amazing adventure together. Steph was open to the idea, so it was up to me to do the investigating and convincing. After much time spent searching, comparing, reviewing, budgeting, and travel agents and phone calls, I found the place. We were to stay in a thatch on a beautiful privately owned island in Belize. Unfortunately, too much controversy and a serious lack of communication from their side forced us to bail on Belize. Can you Belize it!? (insert laugh). After much consideration, I found THE place- Fiji. I sat down with someone who had lived all over there for two years and we mapped out the places and activities we would be participating in day by day (really though, I have a spread sheet). Now for the tough part- convincing Stephanie to spend a LOT more money than we had originally planned. I relayed the agenda, and finally gave her an estimated price. Needless to say she wasn't thrilled, so I told her to think about it all night, sleep on it, and tell me her verdict in the morning. 

Ladies and Gentlemen this is the moment that changed our lives forever...

Difficult to see, but as I held my breath that next morning while opening her email, the words "Lets do it" appeared across the screen. Nothing more, nothing less.

 “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” — Mark Twain

Couldn't have said it better myself Marky Mark! To those of you who find it nonsensical and unreasonable to take some time and splurge on yourself - just do it! Stop thinking of a time that would "work" better for you, and seriously consider a dream of yours believable and achievable. One of the purposes of life, after all, is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear. Adventures don't come around the corner looking for us, you have to go looking for them.

1 month until my birthday, 27 days until Fiji.

Lets do it.