Raging Waters...

Raging Waters is one of those places that attracts all kinds of people... kind of like the State Fair. Some have massive tattoos, some are wearing swimsuites that reveal a bit too much, and others I wonder how they could be seeing the sun for the first time of the summer.

I also believe Raging Waters brings people together. It's ok to be 30 years old and standing in line with 12 year old boys, 50 year old men and mothers with their small children. So the 5 amigos (Casey, Kate, Lisa, Scott and I) set off for an exciting day that consisted of Waimea Waves, Blue Thunder, White Lightening, Serpentine Slides, The Rampage and the Acapulco Cliff Dive. This was not a day to lay out and relax... this was a day to ride the rides (have I mentioned that I'm pretty scared of things like this?).

Funny moments of the day consisted of us riding out the wave pool (at least 10 times) without tubes... almost drowned, but continued to do it over and over again until all our strength was gone. Watching Casey pull himself across the rope ladder. Watching Scott and Kate play stiff as a board in the water. Me never making it down the slide still in-tact with the tube. Kate has also written about raging waters experience... which I cannot duplicate... so get the whole story at singletonliving.blogspot.com.

Needless to say, we had a great time... but not without injuries. Lisa and Scott hit heads on the double tubes, Casey hit his nose and scraped up his feet, Kate... well she landed on her not-small chest and me? well I broke a couple of toes... on the 2nd ride...

Was it worth it? Absolutely.

A Constant Reminder...

Utah State and the University of Utah compete in two things every fall- football and donating blood. Since we know we don't stand a chance at football, we put our efforts into the blood battle. Each school has the American Red Cross on campus for one week and whoever donates the most wins... which is always USU.

Needless to say, I've been invited by many students and co-workers this week to donate blood... which I cannot do... because the last time I donated they said I tested positive for HIV.

Many of you know my dedication to the American Red Cross... not only have I worked there, volunteered there, donated my time and money, but I have also been a faithful blood donor. So imagine my surprise when I received a letter in the mail that basically said... thanks for your donation but your blood tested HIV positive, please go get tested. Wow... don't sugar coat it... just tell it like it is I guess. If you're wondering if I was in hysterics, the answer is yes.

First of all... I don't have HIV (I would like to make that very clear). I've never shared needles, had promiscuous partners, etc. Still, I can't ever give blood again. I can't ever contribute to the blood battle. Still a reminder of those few moments in my life when I was HIV positive. Thank you, American Red Cross, for the constant reminder...

Why I love the Olympics...

Many of you know I am pretty much obsessed with the Olympics. Since the good old days of 2002, I've been equipt with my purple volunteer coat, my lanyard of pins and my USU beret (you know you all payed an arm and a leg for them). I've been reminiscent of my days at Olympic Village... being a bridesmaid at the Brazilian bobslet team wedding, ripping my pants when the Canadian Hockey player fell on me, my sign getting ripped on the Today Show by our very own Al Roker.

I am one of those people that feels extensive amounts of USA pride during the Olympics. I love the red, white and blue. I wear my olympic pins daily and change my desktop background on a daily basis. I often feel that my cheering helps our teams to victory and in turn I take their accomplishments as part of my own. I use phrases like "we took home the gold" and "that was one of our best times yet". When they break the world record... I break the world record... when they drop the baton... I drop the baton... when they cry... I cry. I've shed many a tear, both happy and sad.

So hears to you Michael Phelps, May and Walsh, Shawn Johnson and that little 12 year old Chinese gymnast. We did a great job...Go USA!

Single & Steadfast: Lessons in Hope

Apparently being single affects my self-worth, significance and success. As much as I love the Ensign, I have to admit this just confirmed my fear that there is in fact a line between being married and being single, and the "marrieds" of the world just don't know quite what to do with us "singles" out there.

One of my favorite lines in the article is ... "Watching younger siblings marry and begine their families has been painful. Prone to depression, (we'll insert Katie Jo here) doesn't feel socially skilled. She hasn't had a date in four years." Prone to depression? Seriously? I could think of a lot of things that would push me into depression before being single would. (and I have had a date in the last 4 years- not going to say how many, that's not the point).

So I guess I'm supposed to set some goals to become "attractive to my potential marriage partner". Again...Seriously? Have they been to my ward? My FHE? My Institute classes? Not a lot of options out there people. My satisfaction, meaning and happiness is not based on being single.

After reading this you might think I am one of those cynical singles. I promise I'm not a menace-to-society as many people think. In fact, I think I contribute quite a bit to society. I have a great job (with many other successful singles I might add) and I enjoy my life. I haven't lost hope ... if anything I consider myself lucky. I get to do things in my life that most people will never experience, and when marriage comes along it comes along, but it doesn't define who I am.

Tribute to Tim

So I have to tell you about my student worker Tim. He has "claimed" all year long that he can cook... really cook... and yet I had not seen anything to prove that this was true. So now he is getting ready to leave on his mission to Ireland (yeah I hang out with 19 year olds... back off) and he decided to show us this hidden talent.

Tim decided made dinner, well actually he had to bring it out in courses... and yes...it was delicious. First we started off with the burchetta with fresh tomatoes, olive oil, basil and cheese.

Next we had salad: fresh greens, pears, toasted pecans (which Tim toasted himself), feta cheese and a rasperry vinagarette dressing.



Main Course: Crusted parmesan chicken with fettuccini. Sauteed zucchini.
Dessert: homeade rasperry cheesecake.








So Tim, you've proven yourself... you've proven that you are an ok student worker, a great cook and an all around incredible person. We sure are going to miss you!

Look how happy you've made us:

My Hate Crime...

As many of you know I have pride that Logan, UT is nationally ranked as the "safest metropolitan area". Usually weekly police blotter includes things like sheep escaping on main street. In all my years in Logan, I think I've just witnessed my first hate crime ... against me.

So I woke up Wednesday morning to see my favorite, yes- favorite, trumpet vine (that crawls up the South end of my house) cut off and thrown about 30 ft away in the neighbors back yard. Not just pulled down, I'm talking sawed off and wires clipped.

Evidence A

Evidence B

Evidence C

Evidence D

After talking to the neighbors (or I as I like to call them witnesses)... I found out that they heard something in the middle of the night, still don't know who... or why. Do know one neighbor drug it to the back yard so they could get in and out of their house but everything else... still a mystery.

Did I call the police? You bet I did (and it only took them about 40 min to respond). The first question Logan Police Department asked me was ... "Is someone upset with you?" Seriously? Mad enough to cut down a tree?

So if I've upset you... I'm sorry, but maybe we could have talked about it instead of cutting down my trees- or if you insist on the tree cutting, at least cut down that damn Russion Olive in my back yard, but leave the trumpet vine alone.


If you have any information on the crime, please let me know. I'll be looking at some tapes, gathering evidence. If you think you're getting away with this, you're not. I have a case number and everything. I mean I have my suspisions... the EFY kids have been on campus this whole week. Sketchy.

Finding the Perfect Gift...

I know many of you have struggled like I have when buying gifts for other people. You want to find that PERFECT thing.

My advice: do something that shows you actually thought about what to give them. I'm going to give you an example. For my birthday this year I got two very unique gifts, I guess you could say they both put a lot of thought into their gifts.

Gift #1: Trent
I got a text from my dear friend Trent saying he needed to give me a my present... that it included 2 wheels and ended in rasperry shakes. For the next two hours I was on motorcycle ride to Bear Lake. Could this gift be any better ?...out in the sun... straddling a beautiful man... on a Harley. (I don't think so)





Gift #2: we'll call him "Rusty"
When I bought my house, I worked with a wonderful Loan Officer. He was great to work with and I get things in the mail from him periodically. So I wasn't surprised when I got a birthday card in the mail from him. I was a little thrown off when I opened the card and out dropped a $1 lottery ticket from ID with the words "win big". Wonder what that means... hmmm. Now I'm not going to lie, I thought this gift was hilarious...just a little odd coming from the man who helped me get my house.



So obviously these two people knew me very well... and knew the perfect gift for me. So good luck with that perfect gift and when all else fails, buy a lottery ticket.


(Thanks Trent)