Happy Easter!

Well, people, I am finally finished with updating you with my life as of right now. Since I am new to this blogging business, I recommend you start looking at my blog starting at the very beginning (Ketchikan, AK). At the bottom of this page, click on older post until you get to the beginning. You may have to do it a few times. My post will make better sense if you do it this way. I hope you enjoy! I hope you all had a great Easter. Here is a picture of me as of today!

Life after the cruise

Well, after I got home (March 2), I stayed a day in SLC before heading home to Blanding. I then spent about a week in Blanding. While at home I didn't do much relaxing because I had to organize and pack my junk, I mean stuff, before leaving to Alaska. I also went on a little road trip with my parents to New Mexico as well. Life has been very busy for me but I am having a lot of fun. My parents, Colton, and I left Blanding on March 12th and 2 days later arrived in Bellingham, WA to catch the ferry to AK. It was about a 19 hour drive. My parents and Colton spend about 5 days with me before flying back to UT. Now I am alone in Ketchikan trying to get situated. I am ready to have a regular routine again. Vacation is now over.

cruise friends

Its amazing how many thousands of people are on the cruise and yet we seemed to see the same people over and over again. Its hard not to become friends. We met Kyle (from Montana) at the beginning of the week and ended hanging out with him all week. Dani is from Minnesota. She was cruising with some other people she had met on a cruise a few years before. We really met some great people during that week on the cruise. Can you guess what is in the other picture? Its sort of disguised. If you guessed an iguana, you are right. Nice job.

Roatan, Honduras

Since we didn't get to go on a zipline in Belize, we were able to satisfy our desires by going on one while in Roatan. Ok, in all of our other ports there was at least 8-9 other cruise lines. Well, in Roatan, we were the only cruise line there. It was fabulous having the place to ourselves. Anyways, back to the zipline...it was so much fun! We went on about 14-15 ziplines. Lets just say that the next day I was extremely sore. After the zipline, we went and spent the rest of our time at Tabyana Beach. Here we played sand volleyball with other cruisers. Boy was I tired!

Belize

While in Belize, Katie and I, decided to go cave tubing. Originally, we wanted to go on a zipline; however, the trip was sold out. Oh well, cave tubing was quite exciting and fun. We took a bus ride about 45 min. away from our port and was able to see the countryside. Belize is quite beautiful. There is so much to see and do in Belize that I would like to go back and just visit the country itself. Lunch was included with our trip and our tour guide (in picture) kept teasing us that we were going to eat iguana. I was actually a little disappointed that we didn't eat it but instead had chicken, rice, and beans. It was very good. More pictures to come on cave tubing. Has anyone ever tried iguana?

Cozumel, Mexico

At our second port of call, Katie and I, went and visited the San Gervasio Ruins. It was interesting to learn about the Mayan culture. I wish I could have visited more ruins but unfortunately our time at the port did not allow it. We also visited Discover Mexico Museum. It provided small structures of all the ruins in Mexico. It was kind of cool.

Cayman Islands

At our first port of call, Katie and I, went on a shore excursion to the turtle farm, a rum factory, a sandbar, and to Hell. Yes, we went to Hell and back ;). At the sandbar we were able to go swimming with the stingrays. It was pretty spectacular. It was kind of weird having the stingrays swim right next to me but I got over it quickly. Unfortunately, I don't have pictures yet from the sanbar so these ones will have to do for now.

7 day cruise to the Caribbean

After my long drive home what better way to relax than by going on a cruise. Katie is my travel buddy and we flew to Tampa, FL on Sat. Feb 23rd. Upon our arrival to Tampa we couldn't resist our appetites by eating at the Cheesecake Factory. I don't know what we were thinking considering the food we would be consuming on the cruise. Anyways, we went on the Carnival Legend and it was so much fun. Departure time wasn't until late afternoon on Sunday so we also went to the Aquarium. Good times!

Home - Utah!

After spending 5 days in a car and traveling through nine states...I finally made it home! There is no place like home! I was in Salt Lake for only 2 days before going on my cruise.

Detour - Ohio & Missouri

Since Sheila and I weren't in a rush to get back to Salt Lake, we decided to hit some of the church history sites - Kirtland, OH; Independence, MO (Liberty Jail), Far West, MO; and Adam-ondi-ahman, MO. It was a very refreshing experience and I am glad we took the time to do it. We hit these sites off-season so we basically had the sites to ourselves. It was nice.

about 2700 miles later...detours!

Ok, it took 5 days to travel from Maine to Utah; however, with multiple detours along the way. My last day of work was Feb. 15th. I left that same night and traveled to upstate New York. Since I had some time to kill before picking my sister, Sheila, up from the Buffalo Airport I decided to take a pit stop in Palmyra, NY. It was nice and quiet as well as cold; however, it didn't stop me from feeling the warmth. Sheila and I visited Niagara Falls that same night. Here are some pictures. Me in the Sacred Grove and Sheila at Niagara Falls.

My co-workers in Maine

Ok, I had awesome co-workers at my traveling site in Damariscotta, ME. I spent 5 months at a skilled nursing home (SNF) and inpatient acute hospital. I spent majority of my time at the SNF. Since this was my first traveling assignment I wasn't sure how things "rolled." Luckily, my co-workers had enough patience to put up with me and my craziness. I had so much fun there which made it very hard to leave when it came time to go. My last week there I suggested to my co-workers to wear a certain color for every day of the week. To my surprise, they were compliant. They also gave me a fantastic going away party by playing 4 square. You guys are awesome! Here are a few pictures. Who played 4 square growing up? Or maybe you still play it like me!

Winter in Maine - CRAZY!!

The very first weekend in December it snowed about 8-9" and then continued to snow about 2-3 times a week until Christmas. I was able to go home to Utah for a week; however, when I returned to Maine it continued to snow. I don't remember the exact numbers but according to some weather calculations, the snow accumulations was around 54" at the beginning of January. The snow is different than Utah snow. I didn't feel the most comfortable driving in it so I usually stayed the night with a co-worker or thumbed a ride with co-worker. Oh, I also didn't have snow tires so I really felt uncomfortable. Here is a picture of my cute cottage I lived in.

New England sites

While living in Maine I had the opportunity to do some traveling in the area. I went on some weekend trips to Boston, MA; the White Mtns in NH, Acadia NP, and other sites. I tried to go some place every weekend before the weather changed and I did. I was actually tired of traveling but still did it. I was lucky enough to be in New England during the Fall and was able to see some awesome foliage. I have had some great adventures!

My next home - Maine

After spending two weeks in Europe, I had one more week in Baltimore, MD before moving to Edgecomb, ME. I spent the first day back from Europe doing absolutely nothing and it was great! I moved to Maine because I started a new job as a traveling occupational therapist. It was different going from ghetto/crime city to rural/remote area. It was a complete 360 lifestyle change for me; however, I had an amazing experience while living in Maine and I loved it! I lived in Maine from Sept 15, 2007 to Feb 15, 2008.

Italy - Venice, Florence, Rome

ITALY!!! What else can I say other than it was amazing. We spent a full week in Italy. Venice is the city of romance. I was wishing but not getting any! :) I was not impressed with Florence. I think if I was an art fanatic then I think I would have appreciated the beauty of Florence. Although "the David" was quite exquisite! I really liked Rome. My favorite was the Colosseum. Rome was our last city to cover on our trip so I was pretty tired. I was sick of taking pictures and doing the whole tourist thing. I was ready to go home to America.

Switzerland

I loved Switzerland!! It was my
favorite country. We went on a hike
that ended up being 9 hours long.
Lets just say we made our own
trail part of the way back; however,
we made it back! Here I realized just how out
of shape I am! :)
The Swiss Alps are amazing and breathtaking.
Pictures just don't do justice!

Salzburg, Austria

While in Salzburg, we took the Sound of Music tour. It was ok. This picture is one of the stops on the tour. I really liked Salzburg. It is a fun city. We spent about 2-3 days here as well. We stayed in a cute little bed&breakfast with an old lady who did not speak any English. This trip definitely was an adventure with a lot of extra detours along the way; however, we survived! Which reminds me, we almost missed our night eurorail departing from Salzburg to Bern. You'll have to ask me that story!

London in August 07'

I went on a 2 weeks backpacking trip to Europe with Katie and Becky. Our first leg of the trip was in London, England. Katie and I traveled red-eye so we were pretty exhausted our first day there. We spent 2-3 days in London and then traveled by air to Salzburg, Austria.

Ketchikan, AK

Hello, my friends!
I recently arrived to my new home for the next 3 or so months. Within the past 3-4 weeks, I have done some fun traveling; however, I am sick of driving. My parents, Colton, and I drove to WA state and caught a ferry to Ketchikan. I am sorry to admit that I did get a little seasick a few times. It was fun to have family with me this past week and to get acquainted with the area. Ketchikan is small and rains a LOT but it is gorgeous. My blog will take you through August 07 to present. Enjoy!