The best of times... the worst of times

With apologies to Charles Dickens...  The last two weeks have been brutal...  within 10 days Grandma Rose passed away, I got home from her funeral and heard the news about the Aurora movie theater shooting (about an hour away from where I grew up), the next day found out that a new friend I made last summer in Africa had died in an accident, two days later went home to Colorado for a family reunion and then learned that Aunt Carol had passed away.  

The best of times:  getting to see lots and lots of family

The worst of times:  I miss these good people that are no longer here

The best of times:  I have been reminded that I am so blessed with a wonderful amazing family and really, really good friends and co-workers, as evidenced by the many thinking of you texts, emails, phone calls, etc I've received as well as the bouquet (made out of lab tape!) that was on my desk when I came back to work - and yesterday my lab mates surprised me with a picnic lunch and we played bocce ball (my first time ever!).  Thanks to all for the love and support!

Coincidence or not??

A few years ago I got to go to Peru with these lovely ladies - it was one of my favorite trips.  I know B from work and got to meet her sister C and cousins L and L on this trip and I just had so much fun with them (swedish fish anyone? cards? how many flights can get cancelled during a single trip??!).  I was talking to B today at work and a few things started to fall into place.  If I remember right, we were all single on this trip with few prospects...  at one of the cathedrals in Cusco, a resourceful guide took us to an alcove and introduced us to a patron saint for single women.  I forget who it was and a google search comes up with St. Agatha and St. Catherine and St. Andrew and St. Anne and St. Emily and... and... and... so maybe she was telling us the truth, maybe not.  Anyways, if memory serves, B and L and L all jokingly stepped up to this saint's statue or made remarks about leaving the saint an offering and C and I kind of stepped back.  One of the L's got married not so long after that and B got married a few months ago and just told me today that the other L is engaged and getting married in a few months... and C and I are... not.  

Hmmm.... coincidence or not??

Hook 'Em Horns!!

Not even planned... great minds and all!! I was so excited when I came back from Colombia and we had a long layover in Houston and I found my t-shirt, and I had a good excuse to wear it today... wonder who we're cheering for tonight??? Go horns!!

A Little of This, A Little of That...

Wow - summer gets crazy... I always think that summer is suppose to be this mellow, hang out, have fun time, but it never turns out that way. For example - last week alone included 3 softball games (gotta make up those rain outs!), 2 early morning runs of about 3 miles, a weekend volleyball tournament (where we played 9 matches... in a day and a half!), about 45 hours of work (and I took Friday off!), and many hours spent doing church stuff. I pretty much was only at home to sleep. Excuses, excuses, excuses - Any who... a few "treasures" from the past few weeks...

Where's Z-boy?

Right there... it cracks me up how easily little kids are entertained and the most unlikely object becomes the best toy ever!

Salsa's new boyfriend:

Mom, Uncle Gus and my cousin Shawn stopped to spend the night on their way out to California. Salsa really liked Shawn and licked whatever exposed skin she could find - poor guy!

And finally... the bronze medal winning team from the lower bracket at the Utah Summer games (where the 9 volleyball matches happened). So much fun... took so much time to recover!! From left to right - Emily, Anna, Paige, Jen, me and Julie. Sorry for my arm in your chest Julie... but apparently I had to show off that sexy farmer's tan - lookin' good, huh?!

And this picture makes me think of one more thing. I usually run 3 mornings a week with my running buddy Rena. There's only one shower at work, so we take turns going first depending what's on the schedule. Today was just one of those days - I spent the whole day in my running clothes and hair in a pony tail, bangs pulled back (I hate having hair flop in my eyes when doing sweaty things) - no shower (and I bet I smelled sweeeeet). One of my co-workers came up to me and says Rosann, you look different today. I apologized for my lack of shower fresh scent and he said, no it's not that, so I said I just have my bangs pulled back and he tells me "That's it! You're aerodynamic". Oh yeah... that's it... I'm aerodynamic... just like The Flash... or something...

Race for the Cure

We did it!! I ran an entire 5K for the first time (and with a decent time - about 37 minutes!)... part one of goal - DONE!! Now to recover and build up to a 10K!!

At the finish line with my running buddy Rena!! Go us!!

Soul sisters...

My dear friends the Smiths were in town last weekend and were kind enough to give me a few hours to catch up with them and their four beautiful girls - it's hard to believe how time flies!! Mary was an answer to a prayer - I had just moved to Salt Lake and knew no one, most of my work friends were moving away, and my parents had just left on their mission and I felt so alone. Mary and I were assigned to be visiting teaching partners and she just welcomed me into her life. Her girls and I spent many hours playing hide and go seek, singing and having sleepovers. I was so sad when they first moved to Texas and then to Chicago - so far away!! How much I miss them!!