I want to live.  Not half way, but truly live.  I want to explore all that this world has to offer.  I want to do what I want to do and not over analyze everything.  (Which is really hard for me to do!)  There are so many adventures left to go on.  I have heard many people talk about what they would do if they won the lottery.  It amazes me how many people would just stay in their old routines, but with a better house, different cars, and a lot fewer bills.  That is not for me.  I would sell everything I owned, granted that's not much, and go travel the world.  I would buy me a nice backpack and be gone.  Look for the postcards in the mail!  There is so much out there to see and to do.  I had this guy ask me the other day, why I did so much outside of work.  He asked me if I was bored.  It floored me.  Because we have to work, I believe that each moment outside of work should be spent doing what you love and discovering new things.  Not just surviving.  Blessed is the person who has the job that they love.  There is a quote from Confucius that is on one of my old NOC shirts.  It says, "Choose a job you love and you'll never have to work a day in your life."  That is what I'm searching for right now.  Hopefully soon, I will find it.  But until then I'm going to try and find new adventures to go on everyday.  My humble advice is:  If you don't have a bucket list, then make one and get started on it today!  

Finding the magic in every day.

This past weekend I turned 35.  I can't believe that I'm that old!  To celebrate, I spent this last weekend in Orlando, FL at Islands of Adventure and the Magic Kingdom.  I felt like a kid again getting super excited about the little things throughout the day.  If you have ever celebrated your birthday at Disney, then you know about wearing a birthday pin and everyone saying, "Happy Birthday" to you.  It was so much fun!  Complete strangers give you a smile and wish you the best.   *Sigh*  I felt truly happy about being in that place at that moment and thankful for the experience.  I wish everyday could be that magical!  All the stress that comes with living seemed to melt away.  The day became about meeting mice, ducks, dogs, and fairies.   I let go of my "adult" way of thinking and felt/saw the wonder of it all.  Isn't that what life is all about?  Finding the moments throughout the day that make you feel alive and then cherishing them; being on the look out or maybe even creating some that make others smile.  Rather these moments be big or small look for them, create them, and then feel them.  Keep them close inside your heart.  Share them with those who will appreciate the wonder too!  Make it a game.  When the day is going badly or the stress is seeping in, take a look around and find something or someone who makes you smile.  Let the magic find it's way back into your day and into your heart.  Feel the magic!  

Finally!!

Here’s the scoop: The internet doesn’t work very well. So, post this summer maybe few and far between. If I can find a place where the internet is better, then I will post pictures. Although, I don’t believe the pictures can even begin to capture the beauty of this place. I would recommend visiting Wyoming to anyone. Everywhere I go, I see something else that is really beautiful to look at. Especially, the Grand Teton Mountains in all their beauty. I would love to know what the Native Americans first thought about them.

My work is going well. I have enjoyed working in the office and greeting new staff members as they arrive. It looks like I’m going to be staying in the office. The owner wants me to work full time there. (I was going to work at the activities desk and the gift shop.)

I am able to walk to work most days and love having the option. Despite the fact that it is still really cold and there is snow on the ground. It has melted about 3 feet since I have arrived! The lakes are beginning to melt too, but parts of them are still frozen. The animals are still scarce. Although, I did get to see a moose in the parking lot of the lodge and two bison with their babies on the way to town the other day. Hopefully, spring is on its way! I can’t wait to go hiking! The snow makes it hard to find the hiking trails!

I have made lots of new friends and have enjoyed living in a community again. Even though at times it is challenging, I love having people around all the time. My roommate is great and our schedules haven’t clashed too much yet. I’m still getting adjusted to the altitude and have been trying to drink lots of water. I went running the other day just to see how I would do, but I still think I need to give it a little more time. Life continues its everyday routine here in Wyoming.

I made it!!

Hello Everyone!! I know some of you are dying for details. So here they are. It isn’t what I expect at all. It is more of a resort then a ranch. However they do have horseback riding. From what I understand though I can go whitewater rafting on the Snake River for free. I’m excited about it. I can’t really tell you much about the landscape because everything is covered in snow. I heard today that it should all be melted by the end of the week. The drive here yesterday wasn’t too bad. I was a little worried, but nothing to worry about. My room is basically a hotel room with two double beds and a bathroom. I haven’t met my roommate yet. She doesn’t get here until next weekend. I started work today. I made time cards, sorted through old uniforms and made nametags. Basically my job is to do all the odd jobs that need to be done in the office. At least it has a lot of variety. I miss everyone!! I love you all!!

Wyoming

Hello from the beautiful state of Wyoming!! I can't believe I finally made it out here. Right now, I'm staying with my Aunt Susie and Uncle Nick. They have a beautiful log cabin set along the South Fork River. The view is unbelievable! It seems to be unbelievable no matter where you go in this state. Traveling here on Monday, I don't think I was ever bored. I couldn't keep my eyes off the changing landscape. A person can see for miles and the landscape is so different. And the wildlife! Everywhere there are herds of deer, antelope, elk, horses or cows. They even took me up to the end of their road to see a herd of mountain sheep. Beautiful! Elk.
Words can't describe the beauty of Wyoming! I have been really blessed for the opportunity to come out to Cody a week before heading to the ranch. I have done so much sight seeing! So, I leave you with some of the ever changing landscapes that I have seen so far in Wyoming!

Colorado Springs

Saturday, I spent a fun filled day with my aunt around Colorado Springs. The morning was bright, beautiful, but cold. So, we decided to spend it outside. We went for a hike at Helen Hunt Falls. It was great to be outside after spending the day before in the car. I loved being outside.

If you look off in the distance, then you will see my first glimpse of the Rocky Mountains.
After the hike, we went and ate at Fargo's. It's a pizza place decorated to look like an old saloon. What an experience!
The day continued on, as we went to the Olympic Training Center. I enjoyed walking around and looking at it. We didn't get a tour, but it was fun to see how it was decorated.



The next day was really cold. It even blow snow on the first day of May! So, we did things indoors like watch a movie and play the Wii. It was good family fun game day!! I really enjoyed spending time there!

Kansas

Last Friday, I left Oklahoma City and headed for Colorado Springs to spend some time with my aunt. In order to get there though, I had to drive through Kansas. It was fine for the first few hours. but I thought I would never get out of that state! It was super windy and just flat. I took lots of pictures out my car window of different things. Just to pass some of the time! This is middle America from my car window!!