Reunited At Last

Last week I flew to Florida to reunite with 3 amazing girls + Kellen!

We had SUCH A GREAT TIME!!!

It felt like no time had passed between us...we picked up right where we left off in Guyana, only this time we were in sunny, beautiful Destin, FL. 

The minute I spotted them at the airport I was rolling with laughter and it didn't stop for 3 whole days.

This is how we began our reunion...

they greeted me at the airport wearing these amazing mustaches and when they were close enough to hug me they slapped one on me. 

Let me just tell you, the small airport was full of laughter and many stares.

Heather rented us a condo near the beach, which was nice and we spent our hours laughing & chatting and laughing some more.

We decided to have ourselves a little photo shoot on the beach, it was very fun & funny!

We used a tripod and point and shoot camera, who needs a professional anyways?

Of course we had to get a little silly and sport our mustaches.

We went to dinner at the Back Porch where Kellen works, it was fun to surprise and see him.

We ordered gator kabobs & seafood nachos, they were delicious.

One evening we went to a little free concert at a park

& our last night all together we went out to a piano bar.

The time flew by but in a short amount of time we created even more amazing memories!

I seriously love these girls and I'm so thankful we were able to reunite!!!

Leighton Girl, Becky Boo, HB, & Sara Sue 

Why mustache we be so cool?

2011 Tobabgo (where it all began)
2012 Destin, Florida
2013 Oahu, Hawaii

Following A Dream

In exactly one month I'll be embarking on a new, life long dream adventure! For those of you who know me, you know I've dreamed and talked about moving to Hawaii since I was 15 years old. Well, that dream is finally coming true!! I am beginning this adventure by taking part in the organization World Wide Opportunity on Organic Farms (WWOOF), basically I'll be working on an organic farm. I won't be making any money but I get a place to live and food. I think it will be a good way to start out in Hawaii and I'm excited to learn about organic farming.
Here's a description of the farm: The farm is called Nalolicious and is on Oahu about 13 miles north of Honolulu.

This is some of the most beautiful land in all Hawaii, with dramatic cliffs behind and miles of white sand beach with gentle surf nearby. The climate is warm and relatively dry with rare downpours. We are a 3-acre startup aquaponics operation set just below the dramatic cliffs of Waimanalo. Our crops are diverse and totally organic. We're starting with the basics: kale, lettuce, watercress etc. and experimenting with more exotic stuff as we build out our system. Our fish include tilapia and catfish for now, with other species coming soon. We're employing cutting edge strategies, including biochar in our grow beds and black soldier fly larvae for feed. Our goal is to produce the tastiest crops in the most sustainable manner possible.

Accommodations are rustic but liveable, the food is good and there is a beautiful beach about a mile away. Hours may vary but are essentially 4 hours/day, 5 days/week. At the moment we are building out our system so this is a great learning opportunity for anybody interested in learning how to set up an aquaponics system from scratch. We also have chickens (both eggs and meat birds) and black soldier flies (for feed) to maintain and are adding rabbits (we have 1 at the moment but she's a pet). Oh, and a milk goat is on the horizon. There's lots to learn about here. 

My goal while working on the farm is to try and find a job and an apartment, hopefully I'll be on the farm for a month or two and then get settled into my own island living. Its going to be quite the adventure and experience and I'm very excited!!  It feels surreal that this dream of mine is actually coming true...I truly believe we should live our lives the way we want to and do the things in life that makes us happy! 

 I'll admit I'm scared but VERY excited.

Moab Adventure

I traveled to Moab to see my friends Princess and Peter. 

 A little back story first:

Peter is from England, he specializes in IT work in developing countries 

and has lived in Guyana on and off for a few years. 

He worked in Iraq and sadly was held hostage for 2 years. 

His story is amazing.

For years he has been planning a road trip, 

visiting every state in the U.S. via motorcycle.

Princess expressed interest in his travel plans 

and so they set off on their amazing adventure 2 months ago starting in Kentucky.

When she told me she was going to be in Moab last week 

there was no doubt I'd be there to meet them.

They rented a cabin at the KOA and it was really nice. 

They also rented a jeep to go off roading in. 

Long story short we got the jeep stuck in the sand because we went down the wrong road.

Luckily, the road wasn't far from the highway so we walked out on the road and flagged down a park maintenance worker.

 He was more than willing to help us out and drove his truck down the road...

he got stuck.

He called his boss, who came to get him unstuck.

But our jeep was further down the road so they told us we'd have to call a tow truck.

The maintenance guy was super helpful and drove us to the gas station where we called a tow truck then he drove us back to the spot where the jeep was stuck and waited with us. 

The tow truck arrived and Peter was pretty sure this was going to cost him a pretty penny.

The tow truck also ended up getting stuck but he was able to get the jeep unstuck. 

Then he used the jeep to try and get his truck unstuck...

that didn't work and his truck ended up dying. 

He was embarrassed and left his truck.

Then he offered to drive us down the right off road (Long Canyon)

we said sure!

We were stuck in the sand for 6 hours and it was quite the adventure. 

The tow truck guy was able to use my AAA card and he didn't charge us a thing.

We were so grateful and surprised with how this ordeal turned out.

Everyone was so nice and helpful

and we were left with quite the story to tell. 

Princess's goal was to see the Delicate Arch so the next morning we woke up early and hiked to the arch. It was a little overcast and not too hot. I loved seeing the arch again. 

But most of all I loved seeing Princess and Peter!

I wish them the best of luck on the rest of the road trip and I hope I get to see them again.

Digging out the maintenance truck

We are stuck!

Princess & Me

Princess & Peter

Love the arch! 

The crazy but amazing road tripers!

Pin-Test

When I saw on Pinterest how to turn your old T-shirts into tank tops 

I knew I had to try it...I have so many old, baggy T-shirts that I love but didn't wear. 

And now I can wear them all the time! 

I've tried 4 T-shirts so far but these two are my favorite!

I followed this tutorial. 

Basically you just cut out the neck line.

Cut off the sleeves and the hem on the bottom. 

Then keep cutting the neck line and sleeve area to your liking. 

Start by cutting off an inch at a time and see how you like it. 

Then take a scrap of material (I used the hem I cut off) pull it through the back of the arm holes

wrap twice around the gathered material and tie two tight knots.

For my Lakers shirt I used one of my razor back tank tops as a pattern and I think that also helped. 

I give this Pin-Test 2 thumbs up!

Motorcycle Ride

Dan took me on my first motorcycle ride

& I loved it!

I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it...

it was so cool to ride out in the open air.

You see a lot more than you see riding in a car.

It made me really want to get a scooter! 

We rode up in the Uinta mountains,

it was a beautiful day and I loved the scenery 

 Such a cool waterfall 

it looks man-made but it isn't 

We walked around Mirror Lake

It was a good Saturday!

Summertime

To celebrate the start of summer 

my mom and I attended a 3 hour solstice yoga event 

that took place outside. 

It was amazing.

It was held at the base of the mountains

in someone's gorgeous backyard & home

{a tad bit jealous I don't live there!}

It felt great saluting the sun,

putting my face in the grass,

listening to the waterfall,

& seeing birds fly above in the clear blue sky.

The event wasn't all yoga...

it was about life. 

We met new people, 

connected with the earth,

reflected on who we are

& where we are going in life.

And we enjoyed some delicious

raw, whole food.

We talked a lot about our path in life...

what it is we want in life and what we have to offer.

I have been doing a lot of thinking about what I want in my life

and I have come to the conclusion that I want to do what I enjoy doing

and what makes me happy. 

And that is focusing on and improving life,

helping others,

being creative,

being passionate, 

being out in nature,

being healthy & active. 

I have been doing a lot of yoga 

and I am amazed at how it is transforming my life and my body.

I am loving it and I'm so excited to further my yoga journey. 

I think eventually I'd like to become a yoga instructor 

and a certified holistic nutritionist and make that my career. 

I mean I might as well live my dreams!

I'm excited for summer

it will be a good summer.

And I'm excited for my path in life. 

Back To Work

So, after a few different interviews 

I finally got a job.

It's not my dream job.

It's not the type of job I thought I'd get after PC.

But it's the right job for right now.

 I am grateful to be working again

and making money.

 I am working at a Hilton hotel 

as a  front desk agent, 

which I am glad I have previous experience in.

This first week is dedicated to training 

and it's a pretty extensive computer training course. 

To be honest, it's weird to be back in a professional working environment 

after 2 1/2 years. 

But I know it will be a good experience

and it will be good to meet new people. 

I got lucky and work days from 7-3, during the week,

which is nice.

I am excited for this new opportunity

and I know more things are going to unfold because of it.