STEVE IRWIN DAY. aaand an apology..

First matter of business.
-I'm sorry for the long vacancy of this post! To let you know I'm sincere, I'll type up a taste of my week:

Monday: 7:30 go to seminary/school, get out of school at 2:30. Come home, get dressed for work, arrive at the barn at 3:30. Work for 2-3 hours, usually riding about 2 or 3 ponies and doing other sorts of jobs. (Like trimming ponies feet that need to be done, putting ponies away from turnout, stuff like that.) Then at 5:30-6:00 head over to Zephyr ranch to go ride my own pony Adonnes! :) I'll get him out and groom him and work on his feet (to achieve a mustang roll! I'll have a picture down below) and then take tack him up and play with him in the arena, then ride.(We do more than just like a walk, trot, canter; we sometimes rope barrels, jump, do some bridless work, drag barrels, school XC if there is still light outside, etc. Haha it depends on what stuff I can think up for us to do.) Now that it's wayyy cold at night I'll usually finish up at around 8:00. Then I'll wait for my mom to come pick me up and then we get home at around like 9ish. Then I'll finish up any homework I need to do, and that's about it!

Tuesday is basically the exact same day, and then I get Wednesday off and then I have work on Thursday, and then I get the weekend to ride usually. It's a bit of a busy life, but I wouldn't have it any other way! :)

So I hope that might explain why time just slips through my fingers to darn quickly!! Though it's no excuse haha.

Second matter of business: My older sister Kelly is coming home on Saturday! It's so crazy! It's really weird, cause it feels like she was here just a couple weeks ago, but at the same time it hasn't. Her absence in my life is a paradox! It'll be so nice to have her here though! It's so much fun having her back at the barn! Plus my older bro will be here next Wednesday! I'm way stoked for that, I haven't seen him in a year and a half!

Third matter of business: STEVE IRWIN DAY.

Today is a day that we celebrate the life of Steve Irwin, the greatest wildlife warrior of them all! He was and still is my childhood hero! His contagious personality and enthusiasm about wildlife is what drew so many to understand and come to love the wildlife he was so passionate about! His legend still lives on in this world through his family and his world famous Australia Zoo! (where dreams come true!) I think he must've had another mission to fulfill on the other side, and maybe he was even put in charge of taking care of the wildlife animals coming through to the other side. His mission here on earth continues as well, as his children are being passed the 'football of conservation' and running it up.
The most common trim on a horse you'll see , it might not seem that different from a mustang "roll" or mustang trim, but I promise you, it's an entire world of difference!

 This is a Mustang roll!

--Khaki isn't just a color, it's an attitude mate!--

Children in Africa

I'm so excited! In only about a week & a day, My surfing family and me will be heading off to my favorite little spot in the entire world: California! (More specifically, San Diego.) My favorite surfer buddy Rachel and I will be hitting up the waves in no time at all, and everyday I'm growing more and more anxious for the fun to begin!

On another note, guess who has an A in College Physics?!?
Not only that, guess who has a 134% in College Physics?!?

Someone who did all the extra credit in an enormous packet!

Hard work really does pay off, I encourage it every step of the way!

Anyways, I really wanted to share a funny story that went down in my house a couple days ago.
 So I was doing the dishes, and one of the dishes I had to do was a pot full of spaghetti sauce that we didn't eat. (My mom has a terrible habit of making WAY too much spaghetti sauce whenever she makes spaghetti.) I called to my mom and asked, "What am I supposed to do with all of the sauce?" She came into the kitchen and was like, "Oh dear. I know it's a terrible wastrel thing to do, but just put it down the disposal in the sink." Now, if you don't know my mom, when I was a little kid, we ALWAYS got the "think of the starving children in africa" guilt trip every time we wasted or didn't want to eat something. So, seeing this moment of opportunity to show the message had really sunk into me, I picked up the huge pot full of spaghetti sauce and grabbed the scooper, turned to my mom and said, "Hey mom.." I scooped up some sauce, and with each plop of spaghetti sauce I plopped in the sink I said, "One child in africa...two children in africa..three children in africa..four children in africa.." In the end I had a grand total potential to feed 14 african children spaghetti sauce.

haha writing that down, I kind of realized maybe it was funnier if you were there. Anyways, have a great night guys!

--hang loose--

THERE ARE NO COINCIDENCES

MOST. AMAZING. NIGHT. EVER.

First off, I'd like to apologize for not posting in forever!
Secondly, let me post up a back story.

So it was a rainy Thursday afternoon, and (usually) I go to work. Only this thursday was different. I was amazingly able to go to the temple and do some baptisms for the dead! I cannot tell you how badly I needed to go, because the minute I walked into the little room where you watch the baptisms, I felt a complete feeling of inner peace and love. Afterwards, I was SO happy that I was able to go! My mind and spirit felt completely cleansed, and I felt clean. When I got home, I knew I had to finish 51 COLLEGE LEVEL PHYSICS questions. While we only needed to do 10, our teacher told us if we did any extra ones, they would be worth extra credit. I knew I needed the extra points in order to get a guaranteed A, so I prayed to my Heavanly Father for help. Over the next 4 hours, with the help of my cleansed mind (and google) I was able to finish EVERY LAST PROBLEM. Coincidence? I think not.

So the next day was friday! (Today.)
I was so excited to hand in my packet, as soon as my teacher came through the door I shouted to him, "You're going to have a little more grading than planned this weekend!" I tell you, it was the best feeling, of all that hard work paying off! Needless to say, I can now kick back and relax for the rest of the term. (Each extra credit question finished was worth 5 or 10 points :)
Later that day, I looked up and found the most amazing pony turnout sheet for my little guy, for super cheap! It was BRAND NEW and had GIRAFFE print on it!! It was just his size too! (I needed to get him a new blanket, as his one was old and trashed from last winter and spring) So I went up to Riverton and happily made my purchase! (I can't wait to show it to Adonnes tomorrow haha) Coincidence? I think not!

Later that day, it was the homecoming football game, the biggest game of the entire year! I arrived with Clara, and as we were deciding where to sit on the bleachers. We were going to sit on the bleachers, but I suggested we sit one more row across, closer to the middle. (Best thing of my life ever!) So, we sit down, and I turn around for no reason, and who do I see? One of my guy friends (who I've been infatuated with for about 2 years.) Mom and two little brothers. At first I had my doubts, but when I looked again, I realized, "It IS them!" About 5 minutes later, the mom has one of the little brothers (whose name is Cody) on her lap. I was sitting with  my cousin Clara and her friend Mikey, and then we hear the mom shout, "Hey, could you guys move?" (There was a huge crowd in front of our part of the stand, and we couldn't see the game going on.) All three of us turned back and realized that one of the little boys (Cody) is crying in frustration because he can't see the game. About two seconds later, Mikey gets up, picks up the little boy, and says, "Come on, we'll sit on the higher bleachers so we can watch the game." Clara and I followed, and the mom gave us a huge smile and said, "Awh, thanks you guys!" For the rest of the game, we sat with this ADORABLE little boy, entertaining him and making him laugh. (We were only a bleacher above his mom.) After the second half ended and the football players came out, Cody screamed, "Theres my big brother! Number 1-4!" I'm telling you, it was so much fun! But I'm telling you, it is not a coincidence! Afterwards the mom asked us our names and told the little boy to thank us. Then they left. Seriously though, of ALL the places we could've sat, of all the little kids running, around, was is just a coincidence that we bumped into my very attractive guy friends family?..I guess time will tell!

*It was also great because we were providing the mom with service! It made me feel really awesome to help out..and that it was a certain someones brother.. :)

Anyways, I have absolutely no doubt that all of the amazing things that have been happening to me are all due to serving heavenly father and the people who were helped out by going to the temple. My week went from good, to INCREDIBLE, all from doing temple service.
I'm going to try to make going to the temple a weekly trip for me. Not only because it helps me develop spiritually, become cleansed again, and help people on the other side who desperately need it, it also enables Heavenly Father to bless me for it, and help my weeks go by to their full potential!

Until next time (which will be much sooner!)

--there is sunshine in my soul today--

Live, Laugh, Love, SURF

I've had a couple of things going on lately:
   
       1. We found a new home for one of our kittens today! I finally got around to putting them on KSL, and lo and behold, two minutes after I put the ad up, someone called for him. The guy's sister had lost her cat, and he bought the one we named, 'Dartanian,' to give to her for her birthday. It was sad to see him go, and my sister and I sat down and prayed that he would have a good home, life, and that he would be safe and watched over. I have a good feeling that he'll have a good life. Oh, I also gave them my email so they could email me pictures and tell me how he was doing and stuff. I sure hope they do!

Simply gorgeous, isn't he?

2. I realized I haven't posted any recent pictures of Adonnes, (At least from this month) so here they are! (The one with the fly mask isn't actually that recent , it's from august or july.) Oh, another thing! Adonnes and I have a jumper show saturday! I'm hoping to do the 3 ft, but my trainer will probably only let me get away with 2'6 and 2'9. Or maybe I'll do all three, I never really know until the day of! Anyways, here are some of his pictures:

Woo! Our highest jump yet! My dad estimated it to be about 3'6, Although Adonnes did jump it a little higher, so it could be more than that. 

                                                                My little man <3

Galloping out on the cross country course, so much fun! It's an awesome feeling just breezing through your surroundings. It's as if time doesn't exist.

3. I'M DYING TO SURF.

Only about 5 weeks or so until me and my surfing bud Rachel get to go and hit up the waves! We're both pretty stoked, it's been a while since our last round! 

Everytime I'm missing my pony, I'll look up sport ponies, evening, show jumping, dressage, or just anything that reminds me of the sensation of being with Adonnes. Everytime I'm missing Adonnes, I'll call my dad to talk to him about surfing, and look up Laird Hamilton's famous rides, sick surf spots around the world, (like Teahupoo or Mavericks) or other cool surf vids. 

On a random note:

Of my many life plans, I have thought up another one!

I'm gonna go visit Hawaii, and check out if the demand for small animal or wildlife vets is high. If the wildlife vet is high, I'll try and get a job in a zoo or wildlife park of some sort, IN HAWAII! (How sick would that be??) 

Vice-versa, if the small animal vet demand is higher, I'll try and get a job at a vet clinic. If I get either job, I'll buy a little surf-friendly home with some land, build a barn on it, fly Adonnes over, and move! (The only let down of Hawaii is that there isn't very many horses there, and I can't imagine that there would be very many competitions. But hey, Adonnes and I will be living on an island, so no big deal! :) I could surf in my free time, and Adonnes and me would hang 24/7 and be roomies! And then Rachel and my family could come and visit me all the time! How much fun would that be? About a LIFETIME! 

So it's an option now under consideration..

--Aloha Oi-

My Hero and My Inspiration

Growing up as a kid, the only TV channels I was allowed to watch was the Animal Planet and the Discovery channel. I still remember watching the most extreme every sunday, and Shark Week every year with my dad. As a result, I grew up with a love for wildlife. I took a special interest with the most dangerous animals I saw, like the great white sharks and venomous snakes. In fact, when I was hospitalized with asthma for about two weeks, I had the nurses stick a picture of a great white shark on my door. The person I looked up to most though, wanted to be exactly like, was the crocodile hunter. I joined Steve Irwin in his adventures every chance I got, and I knew wanted to be just like him when I grew up. I remember watching episodes from when he visited an island and caught and swam with sea crates (snakes) which are the most toxic snakes in the world, but also the most mellow. Then we caught a plane to indonesia, where we explored a komodo dragon park. The dangerous thing about them? They possess razor-sharp teeth and have saliva that break down tissues or carry lethal viruses that break your body down or something like that. One bite is all it would take.

What really stuck with me since I was that fixated little five year about Steve was:

-His PASSION

-His ENTHUSIASM 

-His LOVE FOR ANIMALS, CONSERVATION, and FAMILY

Even today, whenever a teacher or someone asks who is my hero, or who is my role model, I don't even have to think. With a big smile and a feeling of excitement, I reply, "Steve Irwin, The Crocodile Hunter." His passion, catchphrase, and love for conservation, can make even the most stiff-necked person just develop an excitement about wildlife. I could probably listen to Steve Irwin all day, every day, and never grow bored. Even though I'm getting older, as I watch his old episodes and interviews, I still become even more intrigued, interested, amazed, and become excited with his work and life mission. Anything I can do to be a contributing 'Wildlife Warrior' is a great honor, even if it's picking up a stray soda can on the beach. I 'can' do it!

   

Every last one of the qualities and traits I find in Steve Irwin, are all going on my future husband list. (Including an accent.) I looked through some of my favorite interviews and videos of steve, and posted them down, just to give you an idea of how incredible this man was. Keeping true to the course Steve!

Rest in peace, my friend.

One of my favorite interviews with Steve-o:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FjsmovR_fc
Steve and Terri's Love Story; Absolutely Adorable!! :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIBdllXPg14
What Steve wanted to be remembered for:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZVPKbZ4cKg&feature=related
When Steve and Bindi found out his 2nd child! This whole video displays a ton of traits going on my husband list.. :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6mohXSgVGg&feature=related

Hope you enjoy mates! G'day!

                      --Crikey!--

 This picture reminded me a ton of my dad and I when I was a kid..

The Start

My two passions and love affairs in life is horseback riding and surfing. I don't get to surf as much as I'd like to, and haven't been able to, since I live in a landlocked state, but I'm lucky enough to be able to travel and surf a couple of weeks in the summer. When I'm unspeakably lucky, I get to go occasionally throughout the school year. My love affair with surfing started when I caught my first whitewater, and I knew it was something I wanted to really step into the moment I caught my first swell. The experience was like meeting your soulmate for the first time; an unspeakable bond is formed with the ocean and the water. My love affair with horses started when my dad brought me and my older sister kelly into horseback riding lessons. I developed a passion for it when I leased my first pony, Halle. Whenever I stroke a horse, or touch the ocean, a certain kind of electricity hits me. When I'm sitting on top of a surfboard in the lineup, or sitting on my horse after I get on him, I feel at one with the energy beneath me. When I'm sitting in the lineup, and if I'm quiet and listen, I can feel the power of the ocean beneath me. If I listen earnestly enough, I can start to feel when a big swell is about to come through. The air will become silent, and a certain feeling of, "here it comes," settles in my stomach. When I'm astride a horse, it's almost the same philosophy. If I'm riding Adonnes, and my mind is clear, quiet, and listening, I can almost hear him say, "I'm going to pop my left shoulder out if you slowly let slip the boundary of your inside leg and your outside rein." In response, I can quickly fix myself to ensure Adonnes continues a straight, round, and obedient ride. (If you give Adonnes an inch, he'll take a mile.) If my mind is blurry, unfocused, and unclear,  my hopes of a obedient, round, straight ride with Adonnes will be abolished. If I'm not 100% clear with what I ask him to do, he won't be 100% clear of what I'm asking him to do. When I'm surfing, and my mind is a million miles away from the surf, I almost always get hit by a rogue wave. If I'm not paying clear attention to what is up ahead of me, the ocean will take advantage of it.

Being a junior in high school, if you don't pay a lot of attention to your life, if you're not careful and you don't pay clear attention, you can get hit with hypothetical 'rogue waves.' As I'm in high school, it's no surprise a lot of girls around me are in a relationship, and have a boyfriend. I sometimes wonder why I haven't had any romances in my life yet, and I've think I know why. I'm already committed to someone! Not only does he keep me busy, but he requires 95% of my attention and devotion. He also needs his belly scratch, his sore muscles rubbed with his liniment gel, and his daily 'nicker-nacker' treats and grain. Though we don't cuddle under the moonlight, Adonnes will always offer to scratch my back with his muzzle, nicker and run up to me as I walk towards his pasture, always make me laugh with his cheeky personality, and hug me with his undying love. (haha I would say unconditional, but to earn his heart and love, he is VERY conditional. ;) When my little horse wraps his neck and head around me in a hug, the bond I is unlike anything else in this world.

--Hang loose, Live loose--