Introducing... Ephraim

So my parents moved from my hometown of Thatcher, Arizona and moved to Ephraim, Utah for a new job opportunity at Snow College beginning this last semester.  For my last week of vacation of my fellowship, I went to check out the new place and fortunately my two sisters came at the same time!  We had lots of fun including the BYU game, picnics, driving up the canyon, hiking the S, checking out all the good eats, and meeting all the very friendly people of the town.  Such a quaint cute place.  We're glad my parents left one small town only to arrive in another small town.  I also spent a day in Utah Valley with fall festivities at HeeHaws and hiking to Lake Blanche with friend.  So glad to see family again!

Hiking with Sariah

This girl who spent 6 weeks with me in Hawaii finally moved back from London to LA and we've had some fun much needed adventures recently.  Back in October we rode the Palm Springs tram part way up San Jacinto and then proceeded to hike to the peak, about 11 miles round trip, with an elevation of 10,834 feet.  I LOVE being in the mountains!  We made a few friends along the way and made record speed, getting back just as it got dark.

Then in early November, we hiked to the back of the Hollywood sign.  Shoot, this was a piece of cake compared to hiking San Jacinto!  Half of the trail was even paved, definitely not what I was expecting.  We worked up an appetite to eat the famous Roscoe's Chicken & Waffles in LA afterwards.

Single Again...

So much to say... And yet I don't know know where to start...  I just spent a wonderful 11 months of my life with an amazing man and while it was looking like things might progress to an engagement, we determined now was not the time.  President Gordon B. Hinckley once said, "Marry the right person in the right place at the right time."  And I believe that is exactly right, all 3 things must be in place.  Without going into too much detail, it was basically decided that our priorities just don't align the way they ought to at this point in time, but who's to say that can't change?  It's been 4 months now and all I can say, really, is how grateful I am we are still good friends.  I'm not going to lie, it's been the hardest few months of my life and I miss him every day, but I will continue to be optimistic and have hope.  In the mean time, any advice for a broken heart (for either of us)?

Work Conferences

Back in September I had a couple of work conferences, one in San Diego with all of my colleagues and a few in Palm Springs, including one where I helped teach suturing to other PA's.  It feels great to actually be in the position to have something to bring to the table and teach others some of my skills. This fellowship has truly been remarkable in my learning curve.  Anyway, it was fun to be back in San Diego and I even got to catch up with my previous roommates!