Angel's Landing and the Narrows.

Sometimes... maybe when I'm having slow times, or rough times I like to have a list to help me get things done. Sometimes I put things on the list that I will definitely do in the day-- get out of bed, shower, etc. And sometimes I add things on the list after I've done them, because I think they would have been a great addition to the list.

I kind of have an unofficial bucket list of adventurous things that I need to do before I get old? Die? 'Settle down'? There's not really a time limit on the list, but I pretty much add things to it at will. Checked off the list has been running the half marathon, skydiving, driving across the country, hiking the Y, halibut fishing, and a few other things.

On Sunday I did something and though it was so great! I decided to add it to the list after I'd done it!

Saturday I left to go down for a long weekend at Zion National Park with some of the people from my ward. Actually, some really awesome people from my ward. I went along as something fun to do, not really realizing what I was in for. They told me we were hiking Angle's Landing on Sunday after church (and boy!, Church was quite the experience in Hurricane, UT-- be sure to pronounce it right "her-uh-kin" oh it was exciting but that's another Story). Saturday night, after a late start we arrived at our campsite around 11, it was probably the farthest thing to the middle of nowhere I've ever been. It was a good thing we had jeeps, it brought a whole new meaning to the word 'off roading' for me. I think it might be a thing that mostly the driver enjoys...

So we slept on the ground (camping, the joy of waking up cold!) had breakfast, went to church and then changed and headed out to go hiking. I wasn't sure what I was in for... I heard snippits- "2 1/2 miles" (ok, that's do-able), "afraid of heights" (I'm alright so long as things aren't shaking), "beautiful views" (I like beautiful views). As we ride the tram through the park I hear bits of the pre-recorded information like "strenuous" and "evaulate the abilities" and "bring lots of water" I started getting nervous, but it was too late to back out. So up the Mountain we went!

It was such a cool hike! I think that that part of the country is so beautifully different than anywhere else! That last bit, where you hike/climb... it was crazy! At the end you had to use a chain to get up. It wasn't super scary, just nerve wracking... Here's a picture of Ben doing it:

And when we finally made it to the top it was GORGEOUS!! Here's a picture of our awesome group:
From left to right: David, Me, Lauren, Sean, Nik, Jason, Jana, Sara, Celeste, Josh and Ben (hiding in the back)

It was beautiful! Here's a view from the top (that I did not take)

source
 

After the descent that made me realize exactly how steep the hike up was. The rest of the group decided that another hike was a great idea! (Crazies! I was ready for a nap!!)

But a one mile short hike was something I could do. So we went to the Lower Emerald Pool-- which wasn't emerald at all-- it was brown. Like this:

We entertained our bus driver and fellow passengers by singing songs on the way back to our cars. Most of them had Na-na-na's in them Hey Jude style...It was great! I think I slept the best on Sunday night than I have in a LONG LONG time! It's amazing what physical exhaustion will do for a good night's sleep!

On Monday we were in for more hiking! Again with the snippets! We decided to hike "The Narrows." And pretty much what I knew about the narrows was that my feet were going to get wet. MY FEET!!!

That's me... TRUDGING up a riger... against the current. Up to my knees (sometimes my waist). It was GREAT! SO beautiful! Such a nice day, not too hot, not too cold. Wet feet weren't such a terrible thing... It was actually really great. 

So so so fun! I'm so glad I went. 

And Now I can (add and) check hiking Angel's Landing and the Narrows off the bucket list!!

A weird thing.

My roommate is a special education teacher. She often tells her students "That's a weird thing" when they do it. Today, I got an email and couldn't help but think "That's a weird thing"

The email:

Emily,

   How the heck are you?
SO.... Do you want to come hear my homecoming talk on the 26th of Agosto? Moreover, do you want to come on the 25th and play soccer in a nearby park with some other friends at like 2:00, and have we'll all have dinner at like 5:00, and then we'll play boardgames or watch a movie or something, and then we'll all sleep in sleeping bags on the floor or something, and then we'll all get up bright and early and put things in order so my dear mother doesn't have to, and then we'll all go to church at 8:30, and we'll have spiritual good times, and then we'll all come home and eat food again. What do you think?

You may be thinking, oh that's nice that Emily still has friends young enough to be on missions... FALSE. I mean, it is nice... I suppose... anyway. Here are the reasons I think this is a weird thing:


A: You are a missionary! Why are you having a co-ed sleepover! (and your mother approves of this nonsense?!?) You will have been home for all of 2 days-- why the heck would you think that a co-ed sleepover is a good idea!? It's never a good idea.
a.1: When have I ever played soccer, since I was forced to in High School PE... NEVER.

2: This is from the little brother of my ex boyfriend. Chances are fairly high that the brother and his wife are going to be there---- I know it's been 2 years, but I don't want to be friends with them. I don't want to be nice to them. I don't want to see them. Pardon my frankness, but I'm just not sure I would swerve/brake if he walked infront of my car...

III: One of the reasons I haven't written this elder in a while is that he started saying things like "I hope you're around when I get back"and other things that made me wonder if he was more interested than in just a friendly way. I really like this kid, and with the exception of his brother, I love his family (so, so much) but I don't think there is much of anything in me that could induce me to date him.

D: I'm going to grad school before he comes home, so it's all a moot point anyway. I can't go.

To 16 year old me: You're going to be okay.

Dear Emily,

Hello from 10 years down the road. (10 years!!!) I won't tell you where you end up-- that's part of living, but I'll just tell you, it's more and better (but yes, different) than you expected or think you want).You are just at the beginning of your (mis)adventures. Things are going to be very, very good. In fact, things are going to be mostly good. And then there are going to be times that make you wonder if you will get through them. The thing is, Em, You will! You are a tough cookie, and these experiences will make you even tougher. You get the tough spots because you can hack it!

Here's a little secret I've learned recently. You're going to be okay. Everything will be okay, but sometimes the definition of okay is just going to have to change. When the worst thing imaginable happens (and I'm so sorry dear, I wish something I could say would change it, but the worst will happen), it's going to take you a few months to even feel like you might be beginning to be alright, but then things'll happen and you'll sit and sob wondering if you'll ever really be okay. And the truth is, you won't. Things are never going to be okay the way they were before. Things will never go back. But "okay will change". Okay will take on new meaning, and if okay means getting out of bed, putting on a bra and going on with 'normal' life, you will be that. If okay means waking up dry-heaving for months but still working and graduating despite it, or if it means tossing your cookies in front of your class then finishing your presentation. you're okay!

Em, when you go to college a bishop is going to give you some really good advice-- actually, you're going to hear it from two different bishops in two different wards in two different eras of your life at college-- TAKE IT! Both Bishop Fleming and Bishop (can't remember his name) said, over the pulpit: "Don't take yourself too [darn] seriously." Pay attention. Have more fun. We're pretty good these days at taking risks, and at going for what we want. Keep doing that!

There are going to be so many people who love you. So many people in your life who will help you become who you are. Let them help. Don't be too proud to ask for help-- whenever you need it.  And while you're letting people... Don't go through the phase when you're hard on your parents. They're NOT lying when they tell you they want what's best for you. They really are motivated by love. And yes, Dad is ALWAYS going to be right... just trust him and embrace it. Love your family. Just love them and spend as much time with them as possible. This fall when James leaves on his mission and you think that your family will never be the same, you have NO idea how accurate that is. Be grateful for the time you have together. Don't be petty, don't be uptight. Just love them.


You are awesome-- realize it sooner. And don't forget it.

Love,

Emily