Do you know the way to Santa Fe?

I'm here and Santa Fe is beautiful. I got here on Tuesday (a little later in the day than planned). The road was slower than I thought, but the country through Durango and Southern Colorado was great to see. I thoroughly enjoyed the drive and my book on audio.

First impressions:
The city is beautiful. My gps took me through the central plaza of town and this glorious cathedral greeted my entry to Santa Fe. Bread Loaf Santa Fe coordinates with St. John's College to use their dorms and classrooms and cafeteria as a conference type thing. The school is small but beautiful. I haven't left the campus much, but all I have to do is walk out the door of my dorm and there is this great court yard with trees and tables and benches. Who needs a library when I can I sit in the shade or sun and listen to the wind in the trees and watch birds flutter while I read? Not me.

The weather is crazy cool . . . Many of my friends and family commented that I would die of heat while here, but the opposite is actually true. It's been about 80 degrees everyday with cooler mornings and lovely evenings and great cool breezes almost all day long. I sleep with my window open and find no need for the AC (which I don't have anyway). I guess I can thank the 7,000 feet of elevation for the cool weather.

I am going to learn an incredible amount. I had both my classes on Thursday and both my professors blew me out of the water. I am taking two classes. One on the Rhetoric of Silence (basically how silence plays as significant a role in communication as spoken language and how that silence is used in literature), and the other is on Thomas Hardy. I was not very excited about the Thomas Hardy course initially, but after the first day I am stoked to get to pick my prof's brain about Hardy and his life and purpose as a writer. There are only four people in that class so it will just be an awesome small class discussion all the time. YAY!

I will see a lot. Every morning a man from Santa Fe who teaches and was once a Bread Loaf student, I think, hosts a thing called Dawn Patrol. Anyone who wants gets up at 6:00 and goes on an hour long hike some where in the mountains near by. Our campus is actually on/near the trail heads of several hikes. I went Friday morning and walked up a wash (arroyo here). Alfredo (our guide) explained plants and interesting things along the way. Super fun!
Also today was the first of our school excursions. It seems like every weekend day (Friday there are no classes, so Friday Saturday and Sunday) Alfredo rents a van through the school and we go on trips around the area. Today we went to Bandelier National Monument. It is the site of Anasazi pueblo dwellings that have been uncovered and sort of preserved or restored. The hike wasn't bad-two or so miles round trip. We hiked into the dwellings and up ladders. There was one Alcove house that I had to climb up 140 ft. mostly by wood ladders to get to. It was quite the experience. I am not afraid of heights, but several people were terrified. It is interesting to witness people confronting their fears. Neat experience all around. I'll post pictures in the slide show above of the trip. The girl I am with mostly is Maia. She's a super cool girl I've met here and have bonded with.. We were restless and didn't get into the testosterone filled fight about maps and trails, so we left most of the group behind and did our own thing. I mean really guys; it's a national park. The trail is probably paved. . . and it was . . . just sayin' :)

Is this overkill? Maybe I'll blog more often to keep the length down. Friday night was a pretty chill night. A bunch of us got together and went to a brewery downtown. The water tasted great and was free :) but I really like hanging out with friends from last summer and some new fast friends I've made here. I love Bread Loaf and will keep you posted. I'm going back to SLC Saturday for yearbook camp (I know how nerdy that sounds) until Wednesday. I'll miss a class which sucks, but whatever. I'll be back in time to go on a walking mural tour and hike to a lake :) Not bad right? Oh, I guess I'll do some homework too . . . hehehe . . .

Hasta Luego!

Adios Amigos

Hola! . . . That's all I can think of in my Spanish vocabulary that applies for an introduction, so I'll carry on in English. I wish I had pictures to post, but I haven't really taken any, but I do have a bit to update.

First, I went through the temple on June 5th and received my endowment. It was an amazing experience to go with my family and some close friends. We took family pictures afterward, and I'll post them when we get them. But yeah, I don't know what else to say about that except it was awesome and I'm glad I did it. I know I'm not a missionary or getting married, but I could no longer think of any reasons not to go to the temple, so I went. And, I'm glad.

Second, I am leaving for Santa Fe tomorrow! School starts Wednesday and registration is Tuesday. My aunt and uncle are being really nice and letting me stay over in Blanding tomorrow night. According to google maps it only takes 9 hours to get to Santa Fe from Gunnison, but I thought I'd break it up so I can get to registration at the right time. I am really excited to go. I am NOT ready. I have 13 books to read for my two classes combined. I have four and a half done, which is fewer than I would like. But, I figure I'm a good student and can get the rest done relatively quickly. I've been shopping the last few days and only came home moderately successful. I had shopping for capris. However, I did spend the majority of my money on shoes at Journeys. I love that store.

I can't remember what three was, but I'll update that when I think of it. Things are great. I'm excited for my next big adventure. Anyway, more than you wanted to know I'm sure and a little boring too. You can blame that on Thomas Hardy. He has sucked out all my energy to be creative. I've loved the books, but energy to keep going is low . . . three left . . . I can do it . . .

I'll keep you updated on the adventures. I hope to have lots. Adios Muchachos!

Memorial Day Weekend

School is over! I can't believe I've finished another year. My first weekend of freedom has been great. I stayed up all night with my graduating seniors at their all night party. A few of the Brown siblings came to town for the holiday, but Kassie went out of town to Wyoming with her grandmother. It was nice to have kids stomping around and people to chat with. Otherwise it would have been pretty lonely around here.
Today I went to Gunnison Res for the first time. In all my years growing up here I don't know how I never made it. My family always went to Delta or Yuba, but I had a lot of fun. Russell Otten just got two wave runners on KSL.com and wanted to test them out. I was happy to help the family out by breaking in their toys. The sun was out a little, but mostly it was a little cloudy and the water was freezing. Thank goodness it was warm out. Anyway, above you'll find a few photos from the outing.
Happy Memorial Day!

An Update;

It's been a while since I've updated, but that's because I haven't had much to update (or wanted to update about). Above you'll see that I have put pictures up of a few adventures. The dance recital is there as promised. Also, I have pictures from my mom's graduation. She graduated from the University of Phoenix with her bachelor's of accounting. She's worked long and hard, and I am super proud of her. I don't know how she did it. We went to the Bee's game the night before the ceremony. It rained, but I got a few pictures. My camera was pretty much dead the next day so I only got the one picture with my mom. I enjoyed seeing all my siblings and having a chance to talk with dad, etc.
Other things that have been happening mostly deal with school. I have four days left, and it is bitter sweet. It's been a long year and I can't wait to have a few weeks off before my own schooling starts. On the other hand, I am going to miss these seniors kind of a lot. I had a BBQ at my house this week for my College English class as a final farewell. This batch of kids has just spoiled me with hard work and great writing that looking at next year already makes me tired for what I might have to deal with. Graduation is Thursday and we'll see if I can keep the tears in :) I'm helping with the all night party again, and I'm hoping to stay dry and not get thrown into the pool. Maybe I'll just come prepared with a swim suit and just get in with them. Although that might be weird too, but at least I won't get my regular clothes soaked. But regardless, I have only four days left of school. Four days . . .
In other news, I am going through the temple for the first time. I've got my recommend and all the necessaries and I'm ready to go. I know I'm not getting married and I'm not going on a mission, but I can't think of any reason why I shouldn't go. My immediate family is coming down and I'll go through the Manti Temple. I'm really excited about this next step and will thoroughly enjoy my experience. I can't wait.
The final picture on the slide show above is an awesome trifle dessert I learned to make from Taunya Otten. It is tres leche trifle and I made it for Family Home Evening on Monday and also made it for my seniors and our BBQ. Seriously delicious!
That's all for the updates. Maybe I'll put some pictures up of the senior party or pictures of me doing nothing but relaxing. That might be fun . . . Four Days!!!!!