tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-238840992024-03-21T09:20:27.685-04:00Amber's WorldAmber A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10567607654739957454noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23884099.post-39557154623074494312008-07-07T19:21:00.006-04:002008-11-13T07:19:52.536-05:00July 4th ReunionMy cousin and is cigar (he smokes them at every reunion)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE9AxvlJCAkLUvepbr64a_Sw1oqK-WK1tGDA8Et7KlDoU7ZPSABoSkNlWFTPtl8xumRuJSCmbn0RfPx9hhXXYQ-omNkIPP2nfOQSwW5n-ZSpjQWDDYP-5nNHhqGjfxgiSq98RcZA/s1600-h/July4th+001.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220422379319456770" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE9AxvlJCAkLUvepbr64a_Sw1oqK-WK1tGDA8Et7KlDoU7ZPSABoSkNlWFTPtl8xumRuJSCmbn0RfPx9hhXXYQ-omNkIPP2nfOQSwW5n-ZSpjQWDDYP-5nNHhqGjfxgiSq98RcZA/s200/July4th+001.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Cathy & I on the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Rhino</span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPtX3mQe9DyIl7f3e29lm9ZhPc3xVNlKiNSIHF2OzU35hyphenhyphendS8DH98jTr11o_D5mzhnczE2PyVkRA08__HyY5DdT8ailRpVWcxa_R9-Sjg07MvpXqllgWi_O1EY07mV0bq_eSWQ0g/s1600-h/July4th+002.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220422381201507330" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPtX3mQe9DyIl7f3e29lm9ZhPc3xVNlKiNSIHF2OzU35hyphenhyphendS8DH98jTr11o_D5mzhnczE2PyVkRA08__HyY5DdT8ailRpVWcxa_R9-Sjg07MvpXqllgWi_O1EY07mV0bq_eSWQ0g/s200/July4th+002.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />My Great Aunt Dot on the right<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB9S3FHgjxVeuXqFTUUz_jH0aQFvr4VO7cGqqv140YK8XlaNxAbakioaDqmNiN3v_2PrzFUFTbmRUttg537kblVzyKS-nNj5fVvSC8auL-uGUdvYNkSWyoWYPOeAcK__6NG0m73g/s1600-h/July4th+004.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220422392472436930" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB9S3FHgjxVeuXqFTUUz_jH0aQFvr4VO7cGqqv140YK8XlaNxAbakioaDqmNiN3v_2PrzFUFTbmRUttg537kblVzyKS-nNj5fVvSC8auL-uGUdvYNkSWyoWYPOeAcK__6NG0m73g/s200/July4th+004.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Fishing pond Below<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCvztg8j8FjNgubJQaguK0OqOQyF6erpxeAf0Wwu9TbiLC95TSWQiSxNBF4UmfFS6gDPGq2B3akMmMAo9ys3avdHPuOV41EwDqt4XLLXlyFpXYFq16reEj9lC5nXrqsm_hAYqjTg/s1600-h/July4th+005.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220422394086258546" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCvztg8j8FjNgubJQaguK0OqOQyF6erpxeAf0Wwu9TbiLC95TSWQiSxNBF4UmfFS6gDPGq2B3akMmMAo9ys3avdHPuOV41EwDqt4XLLXlyFpXYFq16reEj9lC5nXrqsm_hAYqjTg/s200/July4th+005.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />70+ year old man in middle<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQUNNwTDHbdCZ0_Rfx-2gGnmpCk1FvccIx-uxzi_7MfkOfKA8QaNdmhT_gfOaGI0cBeYhGddGs_RC7LwnI3Qbncg2w_nN1Wen5DB509x4vFxjMY9hZQejpHrgTDxFxnUNU97IfDg/s1600-h/July4th+008.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220422397735252114" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQUNNwTDHbdCZ0_Rfx-2gGnmpCk1FvccIx-uxzi_7MfkOfKA8QaNdmhT_gfOaGI0cBeYhGddGs_RC7LwnI3Qbncg2w_nN1Wen5DB509x4vFxjMY9hZQejpHrgTDxFxnUNU97IfDg/s200/July4th+008.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />For the 4<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">th</span> of July weekend, my sister and I went to the annual family reunion held in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Cullpepper</span>, VA. Some highlights of the family reunion(in no <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">particular</span> order):<br /><br />1. Being hit on by a 70+ year old man (not related to me)<br /><br />2. Going on two <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">atv</span>/<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">rhino</span> rides through my cousin's 400 acre farm<br /><br />3. Eating good southern cooking<br /><br />4. Seeing my Great Aunt Dot who is my Grandfathers sister.<br /><br />5. Spending time w/my Dad and sister<br /><br />6. Catching three fish in my cousin's fishing pond (and releasing them back)<br /><br />7. Seeing pictures of myself and my grandparents from when we were much younger<br /><br />8. Holding a navy seal hand pistol w/a silencer and a semi-automatic machine gun (my cousin loves guns)<br />If you can't tell, I'm <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">related</span> to some serious Southerners. They are the best and so loving. I'm happy to be a part of the family.<br /><br />My Cousin's farm house was built in the late 1700's and I took some pictures of the foundation of the old slave quarters, as well as the house itself w/some party tents out front.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbjw9HOPzvkgCwtRVxlfcoGieJ6LqwdTa3l7BsRrZXb0eU8KYkO42qUNYaPCg-cjec63qmeCj3TtZwNske3BUpJWHOnIgFffgBp0XZKrWcq-m7B4oanqk15z2zEAgvICDRPldblw/s1600-h/July4th+007.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220423921590819586" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbjw9HOPzvkgCwtRVxlfcoGieJ6LqwdTa3l7BsRrZXb0eU8KYkO42qUNYaPCg-cjec63qmeCj3TtZwNske3BUpJWHOnIgFffgBp0XZKrWcq-m7B4oanqk15z2zEAgvICDRPldblw/s200/July4th+007.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI6mdhdYNXq1qaGX94hdPIL3cZrxcT0SHjwCIeHE3SssrzQqqFRLjYzD17NzRv0sCRFEuKrQPNek9-s7JytRYjqx8m8oC4VdVmcsFSn5P0Jwqg2uvyOR3tcU6VOeLqQdHnlgHcRg/s1600-h/July4th+003.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220423923452422626" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI6mdhdYNXq1qaGX94hdPIL3cZrxcT0SHjwCIeHE3SssrzQqqFRLjYzD17NzRv0sCRFEuKrQPNek9-s7JytRYjqx8m8oC4VdVmcsFSn5P0Jwqg2uvyOR3tcU6VOeLqQdHnlgHcRg/s200/July4th+003.jpg" border="0" /></a>Amber A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10567607654739957454noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23884099.post-8652379282560366372008-06-29T15:28:00.008-04:002008-11-13T07:19:53.824-05:00Summer Adventures<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-liRVHtTj90LxWx0PbslIOzDa5K0SOZUjZKAk8XmPnmcJr1a28NoE5qDNm6aJgVpDUcFB4PFByuo35N4NP0qMF_OJNAYzwoyewjraUn1B0xl0sF5VaWg4uW5F2_cWrxJwOrKz-w/s1600-h/JennyLyn+001.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217403599421007794" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-liRVHtTj90LxWx0PbslIOzDa5K0SOZUjZKAk8XmPnmcJr1a28NoE5qDNm6aJgVpDUcFB4PFByuo35N4NP0qMF_OJNAYzwoyewjraUn1B0xl0sF5VaWg4uW5F2_cWrxJwOrKz-w/s200/JennyLyn+001.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-TsSCzzE9xpPW6C6dpbZzmqSt67RB5rsF-7BSTqAFgCI96ahyphenhyphenSZ9Hmqo9rZsVoZRWife23CGlkQxJmTeyCX3kKdmMo60XnMBrEoMyU4kQVEVakuJDqX3eVLh2qP-dkTtcKjpywQ/s1600-h/JennyLyn+004.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217395155117136978" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-TsSCzzE9xpPW6C6dpbZzmqSt67RB5rsF-7BSTqAFgCI96ahyphenhyphenSZ9Hmqo9rZsVoZRWife23CGlkQxJmTeyCX3kKdmMo60XnMBrEoMyU4kQVEVakuJDqX3eVLh2qP-dkTtcKjpywQ/s200/JennyLyn+004.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>OK, so I may not have been very active in my blog writing but I've been having a very active summer so far. First of all in the first week of June my best friend, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">JennyLyn</span>, flew in to visit from Utah. We met my Senior year of college at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">BYU</span> after my mission. With in a week we were practically <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">inseparable</span>. Now that a husband and baby have come into the picture there has been some separation; not to mention the fact that I moved across the country to Buffalo, NY. Anyways she came out and spent most of the week with me along with her adorable baby boy, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Ammon</span>. We had a good time hanging out, going for walks, having long conversations until early in the morning and shopping. We also went on the Jet boats up in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Lewiston</span>,NY. My friend <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">JennyLyn</span> is famous for having a great scream so I thought what better way to bring out some screams than going on the jet boats. It turned out that I was the one who screamed the entire time. The older I get the more I realize I'm not as tough as I thought I was. </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWJW5OZcFSLKem75lPtWzibgUNuktTha3cDShyphenhyphentuxgFyg3m_vAkGN5xJW5tWKq8Z7Q4gg1_WDOVoc0xaZ-Esum5LL42ycpk-AKvi9Y55g9KbQOAFFeycEZatK4096n49kfa14AEQ/s1600-h/PA2008+006.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217397570409501954" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWJW5OZcFSLKem75lPtWzibgUNuktTha3cDShyphenhyphentuxgFyg3m_vAkGN5xJW5tWKq8Z7Q4gg1_WDOVoc0xaZ-Esum5LL42ycpk-AKvi9Y55g9KbQOAFFeycEZatK4096n49kfa14AEQ/s200/PA2008+006.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLDEoZapeu1SGCMsI1J0EIjFOKOWRx4zxNsdd6nBF5tZtyVOr0j7Gf6qoJ10qaQUndMTa_vALXBMk14iazR_AUzgFiN6I7WS1VQkrhKtwrUsi8ozwqL9F8UY8Jm0jGxhhCGHZ1pw/s1600-h/PA2008+007.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217397559893747362" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLDEoZapeu1SGCMsI1J0EIjFOKOWRx4zxNsdd6nBF5tZtyVOr0j7Gf6qoJ10qaQUndMTa_vALXBMk14iazR_AUzgFiN6I7WS1VQkrhKtwrUsi8ozwqL9F8UY8Jm0jGxhhCGHZ1pw/s200/PA2008+007.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisNhWe4JKUr73wjWNKuObFLyMz9D-je4RTkbMj0trR2bPcUcCnbjr6FNiUduLwfIF6Qn9JaffZbMQkRDM_4vZGQ_KC44wIWTei8V5KqdhLJIjedK4KnzrA-fbUMQ5MM0gNXtSOyw/s1600-h/PA2008+003.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217397551595568722" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisNhWe4JKUr73wjWNKuObFLyMz9D-je4RTkbMj0trR2bPcUcCnbjr6FNiUduLwfIF6Qn9JaffZbMQkRDM_4vZGQ_KC44wIWTei8V5KqdhLJIjedK4KnzrA-fbUMQ5MM0gNXtSOyw/s200/PA2008+003.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div>Oh, I forgot. I went with some friends (Jessica P., Martha S., & Sara A.) to climb the "highest peak" in Pennsylvania. We got a bit lost trying to find the "trail head" but a friendly Amish man showed us the way. It was my very first time having a conversation with an Amish person. I loved his accent! It turned out that we could actually drive straight to the top. Needless to say we were a little disappointed. But all was not lost. We decided to do a loop hike through the forest area which ended up being <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">around</span> 6 miles or so. It was a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">beautiful</span> hike and good times with friends. Also Gwen H. and my sister Cathy went on a trip to Vermont over Memorial day weekend. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Unfortunately</span> I do not have any pictures but we had a good time exploring new restaurants, knitting shops and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">ice cream</span> shops. Since I've been in Buffalo I've been to Vermont three times. That equals out <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">to</span> once a year. I just love that state. If you haven't been you've got to go!</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMcFX24_-rjjX-S9Qyl2o1q1lvJOrXuOCp8ydwDecy1WlSYEVtlJKF2laF7XJ3CTqM_A6wAVaVaASsbGP0l7w04EhU_9K317zyr16AOMlw3qlYhEiDfo4H33DQLHxWjTyrWFayqA/s1600-h/MITupdate+002.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217401943537315458" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMcFX24_-rjjX-S9Qyl2o1q1lvJOrXuOCp8ydwDecy1WlSYEVtlJKF2laF7XJ3CTqM_A6wAVaVaASsbGP0l7w04EhU_9K317zyr16AOMlw3qlYhEiDfo4H33DQLHxWjTyrWFayqA/s200/MITupdate+002.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLPSnVAlIoGeCCloePS1MINwyjH4jWGPquApGEjeYGIu5xGtmKd8R3pejcMkZ4JW-pSiov1XJILmOd9tXi1PIpoqqZiUteG3VCSslWLFhL1J1Wf0WKmTQ_Nvp1pXsauqBtSglOxQ/s1600-h/MITupdate+001.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217402442256811826" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLPSnVAlIoGeCCloePS1MINwyjH4jWGPquApGEjeYGIu5xGtmKd8R3pejcMkZ4JW-pSiov1XJILmOd9tXi1PIpoqqZiUteG3VCSslWLFhL1J1Wf0WKmTQ_Nvp1pXsauqBtSglOxQ/s200/MITupdate+001.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div></div><div>Now yesterday my friend Jessica P. and I, along with her sister and family rode in a bike ride called "The ride for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Rosewell</span>". It's a hospital in Buffalo that does cancer research. We raised funds and then went on a short 8+ mile bike ride. I haven't been on a bike for more than a city block for years. So even though the ride was so short I am actually sore today. OK, mainly my <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">rear end</span> is sore. I think I'll stick to running. The ride was fun and I had a good time running around w/Jessica's <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">niece</span> and nephew on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">UB</span> North Campus. After the bike ride I went with my roommate Gwen on a kayaking trip to one of our favorite spots just off of Main Street in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Williamsville</span>. There is a castle hidden in the back woods and it's always fun to kayak around the castle. Also typically we are able to see dear and other fun animals.</div><div></div><div>I hope to have more fun adventures to update you about. Enjoy the summer!</div></div>Amber A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10567607654739957454noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23884099.post-74051132861550997272008-02-11T14:53:00.000-05:002008-11-13T07:19:54.242-05:00Winter Blues<div>Hello All,</div><div>I haven't dissapeard off the face of the earth since October. This year I didn't get Christmas week off so I spent Christmas here in Buffalo. I felt like a missionary again (it could be that I spent the entire morning with the sister missionaries) because I was invited by a family that I didn't know to dinner and I accepted. It was the family of my good friend Jessica who you see in all my adventure pictures. I had a great time with her and her family and was able to eat some food that is very Western New York. At Christmas dinner we had Perogies. I'm sure I'm spelling that incorrectly but basically it is a Polish "hot pocket" of sorts. </div><br /><div>For Thanksgiving I was able to take a few days off so that I could fly out to visit my sister Theresa and her 8 kids. Those kids are just amazing!! The two oldest girls Sileena(12) and Chrishann (9) are in a local cheerleading group and they love to perform all the moves they know. Sileena is also enrolled in gymnastic classes and with two large trampolines in the backyard, it didn't take long for Sileena to be throwing her body all over the gymnatic floor. She is so athletic. It was always a dream of my sister Theresa to be a gymnast so I'm sure it makes her very proud to see her daughter flying all over the place.</div><div></div><br /><div>In late December I had bronchitus and two weeks ago I had a 24 hour bug that made me throw-up for the first time since Jr. High (about 15 years ago). I do not like throwing up at all!! And just today I went to the doctor because yesterday was one of the most miserable days of my life (health wise). The doctor gave me one of those notes stating I should not go to work for two days, but I have so much to do in the office. Once my boss saw the note from the doctor she threw me out the door and said I couldn't come back until Wednesday. I hate being sick!!!! I'm losing my personal days on actually being sick. It's much more fun to use them when I'm healthy and want to tromp around in Vermont or Maine. Hopefuly this string of sickness will end soon. I think my immune system is weaker because I'm not sleeping as much due to teaching early morning seminary. Of course I choose to go to bed at 10pm. I should move it up to 9pm.</div><br /><div>OK I'm signing off. (PS, the spell check does not seem to be working so please forgive my horrible spelling)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_vBDLS2qWFb63SDXOzLhBXjlgJN57fgePubc2beX6OpfDsYrgqqRFSDUv0pdfQlVWAWMJMptlkzxBuneD80vBXPDUL_WnyuciPneZDHlV8bIJKGCMPujIJv3YBN3GerLj_0iTaw/s1600-h/China2005+042.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5165819507542755970" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_vBDLS2qWFb63SDXOzLhBXjlgJN57fgePubc2beX6OpfDsYrgqqRFSDUv0pdfQlVWAWMJMptlkzxBuneD80vBXPDUL_WnyuciPneZDHlV8bIJKGCMPujIJv3YBN3GerLj_0iTaw/s200/China2005+042.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHPUFVJZ_5kCx6zwtsyUeRITCJKyY0dYqXrfQKKL7s1WtsGuBr3xQTnbU4TWKtkTMLRqWSCRyFEZyAFndkrs7MNB7Qfjc4f-wFeA1k_o1CjnNtsyytyO9ODvNPq48jyL94hf9CwA/s1600-h/China2005+024.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5165821053730982562" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHPUFVJZ_5kCx6zwtsyUeRITCJKyY0dYqXrfQKKL7s1WtsGuBr3xQTnbU4TWKtkTMLRqWSCRyFEZyAFndkrs7MNB7Qfjc4f-wFeA1k_o1CjnNtsyytyO9ODvNPq48jyL94hf9CwA/s200/China2005+024.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-hrNwRzkBpI7kEgS9Zy4Aq7twr0lEEw3wsJ9Vy56-Mm-l1qAsTW4TTMJiWyun_p1antuA-DF_8ld2ci-55PzWj1elFCsNpxzkx5Ymb5TO6GOnctrqBds_rAIEgm-KaI7z_4vaAw/s1600-h/China2005+002.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5165821036551113362" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-hrNwRzkBpI7kEgS9Zy4Aq7twr0lEEw3wsJ9Vy56-Mm-l1qAsTW4TTMJiWyun_p1antuA-DF_8ld2ci-55PzWj1elFCsNpxzkx5Ymb5TO6GOnctrqBds_rAIEgm-KaI7z_4vaAw/s200/China2005+002.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>I didn't have any current pictures for this very boring blog so I attached some pictures that I recently found on an old photo disc. These are some pictures of my trip to China in 2005. I can't believe how skinny I was. Since moving to Buffalo (the home of the chicken wing) and working for Applebee's restaurants I have gained a bit of weight up here. The middle picture has some wonderfully translated Chinese advice. The picture on the left is the Great Wall, and the picture on the right is my good friend Holly who I went to China with. Thats us either in the Salt Lake airport or the Seoul Korea airport. I can't remember. </div>Amber A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10567607654739957454noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23884099.post-75619131011395322702007-10-28T18:42:00.000-04:002008-11-13T07:19:55.398-05:00Trip to Vermount and New Hampshire<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid4sSU-IbcI3j4FqxaRHKkmwzA5qLLtvbmSHb4LsD7tCGC9a7pUuoKnHIKO9sOmicWd81Fc-j71S4vC9LpHcA00qvp_8rBYIDhqPD3_Pdqtxy4882c_dTM9zopAE9XjZPY8qWJqg/s1600-h/PEIVERMONTTIOGA2007+091.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5126529401166869538" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid4sSU-IbcI3j4FqxaRHKkmwzA5qLLtvbmSHb4LsD7tCGC9a7pUuoKnHIKO9sOmicWd81Fc-j71S4vC9LpHcA00qvp_8rBYIDhqPD3_Pdqtxy4882c_dTM9zopAE9XjZPY8qWJqg/s200/PEIVERMONTTIOGA2007+091.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiLtp-YMXhQDXWfC693l7JFFOz6nsKGYUyL7L3J6QjPFxsrSshsiNR6xRmAgmND2KLl3Xz2bhrz9WIH-fT2ddvd8AaLLSOcapvoscXTC02FVlVCGtSTWBOq6f6FqeDfTyTPJtNBQ/s1600-h/PEIVERMONTTIOGA2007+088.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5126529405461836850" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiLtp-YMXhQDXWfC693l7JFFOz6nsKGYUyL7L3J6QjPFxsrSshsiNR6xRmAgmND2KLl3Xz2bhrz9WIH-fT2ddvd8AaLLSOcapvoscXTC02FVlVCGtSTWBOq6f6FqeDfTyTPJtNBQ/s200/PEIVERMONTTIOGA2007+088.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjoPYgTPMqRsFHO-UgSty_neceiMfV4SxabcRldi1UrlLwsCJ1PgUr3a6L07_bNH2jGuV_v8iRCvWBU05vjc5FrAb39JoyH4lPNkQsw4wWS9Ihp6nh90CMIxcolEvYYBr9LGGcFA/s1600-h/PEIVERMONTTIOGA2007+048.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5126528181396157394" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjoPYgTPMqRsFHO-UgSty_neceiMfV4SxabcRldi1UrlLwsCJ1PgUr3a6L07_bNH2jGuV_v8iRCvWBU05vjc5FrAb39JoyH4lPNkQsw4wWS9Ihp6nh90CMIxcolEvYYBr9LGGcFA/s200/PEIVERMONTTIOGA2007+048.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqVbALbQtkz07hwG893kE9U5ktUUo0anm-0ciJZXkggC2ZaJlkG2TconF0zwskd7NrlWSNnpE_L2O0qshWVUyDl2OAWH9DqIQn7h61_EE6kr5rd1ySy4vlk-e2fW0wRRxPcl5VvQ/s1600-h/PEIVERMONTTIOGA2007+059.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5126528194281059298" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqVbALbQtkz07hwG893kE9U5ktUUo0anm-0ciJZXkggC2ZaJlkG2TconF0zwskd7NrlWSNnpE_L2O0qshWVUyDl2OAWH9DqIQn7h61_EE6kr5rd1ySy4vlk-e2fW0wRRxPcl5VvQ/s200/PEIVERMONTTIOGA2007+059.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbzuGBZ-IsjJBuCr2qG1NdIPbaWIr5lrXqAoYuQHWfX7xRMHcy3BaY2bA9Dmz23e26vBMuAEJuopPRViSADrBmnB8Nsb-to3avcK8KP2FZYJWF5b3fiUC1TdV-9QJbd7VxEqSKdw/s1600-h/PEIVERMONTTIOGA2007+067.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5126528198576026610" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbzuGBZ-IsjJBuCr2qG1NdIPbaWIr5lrXqAoYuQHWfX7xRMHcy3BaY2bA9Dmz23e26vBMuAEJuopPRViSADrBmnB8Nsb-to3avcK8KP2FZYJWF5b3fiUC1TdV-9QJbd7VxEqSKdw/s200/PEIVERMONTTIOGA2007+067.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />A great double rainbow and our car crossing a floating bridge in Vermont.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4pOtYQN5cuq1ND29Jx-Ifbmbd0gXAZpNm-xes50GxuXMND1EMGwrcLB7DBndME7KQj8BmGMTvR9HC73lZafI5kiiX_BmTHqaXhjFdPVFT5HCzrKo6CBOk2qV-qA7ULdlYZeDZIA/s1600-h/PEIVERMONTTIOGA2007+076.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5126528202870993922" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4pOtYQN5cuq1ND29Jx-Ifbmbd0gXAZpNm-xes50GxuXMND1EMGwrcLB7DBndME7KQj8BmGMTvR9HC73lZafI5kiiX_BmTHqaXhjFdPVFT5HCzrKo6CBOk2qV-qA7ULdlYZeDZIA/s200/PEIVERMONTTIOGA2007+076.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgVTqFLV2QUeydmHMenD28Tcty4_pwKoG8Pc-_SuUJ46GjcLFxUQb4ZWe1_nxZSQfKuN5Z_HFSMTxdk5jYK4neAwft-9l6UrmfUJ-peRuVEMhT0lxupim3T6WKMohJ2W3bSst-Pg/s1600-h/PEIVERMONTTIOGA2007+084.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5126528207165961234" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgVTqFLV2QUeydmHMenD28Tcty4_pwKoG8Pc-_SuUJ46GjcLFxUQb4ZWe1_nxZSQfKuN5Z_HFSMTxdk5jYK4neAwft-9l6UrmfUJ-peRuVEMhT0lxupim3T6WKMohJ2W3bSst-Pg/s200/PEIVERMONTTIOGA2007+084.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>Well, I've been out on another adventure. At the end of September my friend, Jessica, and I drove out to Vermont in the hopes of climbing the tallest mountain in that state, Mt. Mansfield. We came in and had bad weather to start so we decided to head to Mt. Washington (tallest mountain in New Hampshire) because we could drive to the top. I would suggest to anyone the drive to the top of Mt. Washington. We went from a balmy 70 degrees at the bottom to 30 degrees at the top, but with the wind at 60 miles an hour, it felt much colder than 30 degrees.</div><br /><br /><div>That same day we dashed back into Vermont and got a late start on the 4.5 mile round trip to the top of Mt. Mansfield and back. Again I underestimated the power of the East coast mountains. Mansfield is only about 4,500 feet tall and just over 2 miles hiking to the top. I had to stop several times to catch my breath and to let my muscle have a breather as well. I don't think switch-backs were invented yet when they made most of the trails out East. They seem to just go straight up. Anyways, we made it to the top and enjoyed the cool air and amazing view. The hike down was adventurous because of the rain that had fallen the previous days. But we made it back to the car just after dark. Unfortunately there were no hotels that were available so we ended up driving for several hours until we came across the "Budget Motel". Probably one of the dirtiest and sleazy looking places I've ever stayed. Don't let the word "Budget" fool you, it cost $85 a night. Enjoy the pictures.</div></div>Amber A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10567607654739957454noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23884099.post-73418554174038485492007-08-03T17:49:00.000-04:002008-11-13T07:19:57.524-05:00Summer Camping Trips<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis8YuvZs18kWTHcvrlrX4sjId2C9hkrFKwLtw4k120aJjWiITWKttxcWeyZSfCG53sQI8wK9rVl6gh8sNwoHKniYDqvWPPxKE0PqhpXw7WdbJ4yNiZ6jJqqmHNebQMIMl73qVzRA/s1600-h/CanyonLands4.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5094601266157372738" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis8YuvZs18kWTHcvrlrX4sjId2C9hkrFKwLtw4k120aJjWiITWKttxcWeyZSfCG53sQI8wK9rVl6gh8sNwoHKniYDqvWPPxKE0PqhpXw7WdbJ4yNiZ6jJqqmHNebQMIMl73qVzRA/s200/CanyonLands4.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8I6ijYrQqddKOMLT6QiZbPHE76_hqbn3ocllEJ6uMT7aemvNFtnk87gSzsTpIyQB0JORHDYfSS0P6ZzSK7hM7Z9QycIaaQ8dBdUJFryqRF26ZFkHVsbZNC8Q2OJcn3IBWOmYVWA/s1600-h/CanyonLands8.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5094601274747307346" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8I6ijYrQqddKOMLT6QiZbPHE76_hqbn3ocllEJ6uMT7aemvNFtnk87gSzsTpIyQB0JORHDYfSS0P6ZzSK7hM7Z9QycIaaQ8dBdUJFryqRF26ZFkHVsbZNC8Q2OJcn3IBWOmYVWA/s200/CanyonLands8.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjailOvCJaBtjfvn4Q-sAwrz9eHS-enqgElOKiY-_cM0f9Q8SDi8hNpYdc1TfEJyorDovYFFymp-oEmYDDxNLI1lg0MyfWNjQ1uCY1rr8VRA8rgPPTPV4WWn0pc1uK7ZlmtRyMHQg/s1600-h/Pictographs2.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5094601296222143842" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjailOvCJaBtjfvn4Q-sAwrz9eHS-enqgElOKiY-_cM0f9Q8SDi8hNpYdc1TfEJyorDovYFFymp-oEmYDDxNLI1lg0MyfWNjQ1uCY1rr8VRA8rgPPTPV4WWn0pc1uK7ZlmtRyMHQg/s200/Pictographs2.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1LJB_q2iIFN_Z-d4R3l5YtgYwoHlK71cQP3mnqz6A-ffixZtC7fMOmSswLVDTUYMT5kyp_sM3qLjfIJTQnQ0KoN1iaebi3aIiA9MyHYLyqC_a-yPKSxv8UE6LkMgggz50KtsLUA/s1600-h/JessicaCanyonLands.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5094601300517111154" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1LJB_q2iIFN_Z-d4R3l5YtgYwoHlK71cQP3mnqz6A-ffixZtC7fMOmSswLVDTUYMT5kyp_sM3qLjfIJTQnQ0KoN1iaebi3aIiA9MyHYLyqC_a-yPKSxv8UE6LkMgggz50KtsLUA/s200/JessicaCanyonLands.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Wf5Y4pvTmgWijuqDapbjSYVOHXD3OeFekVQVY8pgyDa6H1XypLdhtAMIuVjjOExJdBe7h5O5GewFYuK4zZq9ptLQmIcS_lnStLX6ej2BzuW4J_V1J44qwVWKwVzRqGstJ5MX7A/s1600-h/Snake.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5094601330581882242" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Wf5Y4pvTmgWijuqDapbjSYVOHXD3OeFekVQVY8pgyDa6H1XypLdhtAMIuVjjOExJdBe7h5O5GewFYuK4zZq9ptLQmIcS_lnStLX6ej2BzuW4J_V1J44qwVWKwVzRqGstJ5MX7A/s200/Snake.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYiksqEgZMDS2jm3KfD60YKIdWsZ898gN4ZHbORrPD-vLSoll93S7FDqjhm37z1AC_ZGOpvOeKKICdBfUj5TTlZb9FHcYD1qh5hXsMSnG41vCBiz_2EADQgilblK2c6z6u4WoMSQ/s1600-h/2007_0706ArchesCayonlands0092.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5094600316969600290" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYiksqEgZMDS2jm3KfD60YKIdWsZ898gN4ZHbORrPD-vLSoll93S7FDqjhm37z1AC_ZGOpvOeKKICdBfUj5TTlZb9FHcYD1qh5hXsMSnG41vCBiz_2EADQgilblK2c6z6u4WoMSQ/s200/2007_0706ArchesCayonlands0092.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJZKHqOrQfkBmgz4Y50F1Mo57-9XOVrwpoLp-ls6X8FQvJSucckJfNT8RLWyXvwDRve2VFpjunA2dsMEYOVgM0eZFMKimzIeuywDdvtYSmlUHfQQknRSSqpOwtQ-SoLHbm14xveA/s1600-h/CanyonLands3.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5094600325559534898" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJZKHqOrQfkBmgz4Y50F1Mo57-9XOVrwpoLp-ls6X8FQvJSucckJfNT8RLWyXvwDRve2VFpjunA2dsMEYOVgM0eZFMKimzIeuywDdvtYSmlUHfQQknRSSqpOwtQ-SoLHbm14xveA/s200/CanyonLands3.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbAvt19StkfclFhafQQoYVZFzqEpPCfF5CvMBtySYdvD4bChzzgYZnp51Df7dRFWk9STZaRyBbO-Nsy41_BdS-5QlXXRYVMVt4FDUfK7uKtRv3ghWQKJn1EAy1Z6qKp-Y7-KzqbA/s1600-h/4Corners1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5094597928967783586" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbAvt19StkfclFhafQQoYVZFzqEpPCfF5CvMBtySYdvD4bChzzgYZnp51Df7dRFWk9STZaRyBbO-Nsy41_BdS-5QlXXRYVMVt4FDUfK7uKtRv3ghWQKJn1EAy1Z6qKp-Y7-KzqbA/s200/4Corners1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxj1KL39Xznuix0VbTfTl4RS4yKuWt-yLCiqeMao67NFp2DXP_k78r0meZkYc7skiCrR5mcxQROPSnns-YVgwcyeAGcboTKgnGURRprc93K5uqqZjZSaYaC30IHtgJpmwWqudk6A/s1600-h/2007_0706ArchesCayonlands0008.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5094597937557718194" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxj1KL39Xznuix0VbTfTl4RS4yKuWt-yLCiqeMao67NFp2DXP_k78r0meZkYc7skiCrR5mcxQROPSnns-YVgwcyeAGcboTKgnGURRprc93K5uqqZjZSaYaC30IHtgJpmwWqudk6A/s200/2007_0706ArchesCayonlands0008.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhase80WFhlyBO2OQJxZcgK6pVOPMAQJyo5IFvpz4jU5MOWT21IOU7XxztfrqXoancrBNzskwYZvvipi8pOg1zmHs15LMaiVAwarFJcQwAmQ5C0zQ9NqoE57E-BJdluX4HKY-UyYw/s1600-h/2007_0706ArchesCayonlands0040.JPG"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOiANGYpMMLDHphkYAO1Zu6vCp6S4CgQ56dYD_DcwSQ1wbGkfr2xxQYbfRL0ZZuDsOFrmWMkHOL3UFXgoRH_QBEbW8wMwHfnL9INQ2WrLtvW8w7yJ5hXKeGATcZ8INvdEXkAMeJQ/s1600-h/2007_0706ArchesCayonlands0043.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5094597950442620114" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOiANGYpMMLDHphkYAO1Zu6vCp6S4CgQ56dYD_DcwSQ1wbGkfr2xxQYbfRL0ZZuDsOFrmWMkHOL3UFXgoRH_QBEbW8wMwHfnL9INQ2WrLtvW8w7yJ5hXKeGATcZ8INvdEXkAMeJQ/s200/2007_0706ArchesCayonlands0043.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>My younger cousin Monica Ackerson got married on 7/7/07 at her parents beautiful cabin in Francis Utah. I knew that I wanted to be there for the wedding and that I wanted to go and hike around a bit in Utah while I was there. So I invited my little brother Jesse (who lives in Provo) and my favorite Buffalo friend, Jessica to join me on my hiking adventure in Canyon Lands and Arches National Parks. It was Jessica's first time to Southern Utah and my little brother hadn't been since he was a little kid.</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGzTnq9dAGtTu8IMmYfniE1u7alBJtEUYcLUDENxAjlh8S_GZxtfgTUdne9poXcfFRsqvd6Q8CjPruN8QAjkBLlaZrx0hM9ZuCgPMqWuJ7uXET_qnIw86wO5tzRP_yZMPkfmYsWA/s1600-h/2007_0706ArchesCayonlands0045.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5094597959032554722" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGzTnq9dAGtTu8IMmYfniE1u7alBJtEUYcLUDENxAjlh8S_GZxtfgTUdne9poXcfFRsqvd6Q8CjPruN8QAjkBLlaZrx0hM9ZuCgPMqWuJ7uXET_qnIw86wO5tzRP_yZMPkfmYsWA/s200/2007_0706ArchesCayonlands0045.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>So we were off with our little Chevy Aveo (the cheapest car you can rent) to Moab from Salt Lake City. It happened to be a week where Utah was breaking some heat records. I think the hottest it got was 108 degrees while we were there. I'd say the average temperature was 101 degrees. My aspirations of hiking 10 mile loops were dashed once I did my first hike of only a 1/4 mile. I came back to the car dying!!! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjranKuCkVlrL_EvRH4rUymY5oV4bpC2peO3skGF9kW99WJpo0GOAOY-IHRhbJFPewZKusJW4HMBP9Df1fRFjb7tqi2QIDdKQeaAVD7ClTnfzHWycBzRNWxjdRlkCTocKKa__tovg/s1600-h/2007_0706ArchesCayonlands0059.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5094600291199796482" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjranKuCkVlrL_EvRH4rUymY5oV4bpC2peO3skGF9kW99WJpo0GOAOY-IHRhbJFPewZKusJW4HMBP9Df1fRFjb7tqi2QIDdKQeaAVD7ClTnfzHWycBzRNWxjdRlkCTocKKa__tovg/s200/2007_0706ArchesCayonlands0059.JPG" border="0" /></a>I wasn't used to the temperatures and the elevation. In Buffalo it's only about 50-100 feet above sea level, where as Arches is between 4000-6000 feet. So we ended up doing the very touristy hikes of 3 miles or less, but that still kept us busy for 3 days. We also drove down to Four Corners so that I could get some Indian Fry Bread and so that my East Coast friend could add a couple more West Coast states to her "I've visited" list. I ended up buying several piece of jewelry. I can't believe the poverty that some native Americans live in while so many other tribes have millions due to bingo halls or casinos. </div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjegZfxP6app2CvzbKlOrCsg6QUopr519APp1pKGVaw1tDZcrvrJrPeyV1PUOe6mBCf_zhP50jvAf98Z9Fs9DJKCOfWYvQzCc8-u11wn00Y2NGBYsULZu9e2Ap02tnJsEFifN47nA/s1600-h/2007_0706ArchesCayonlands0054.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5094600299789731090" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjegZfxP6app2CvzbKlOrCsg6QUopr519APp1pKGVaw1tDZcrvrJrPeyV1PUOe6mBCf_zhP50jvAf98Z9Fs9DJKCOfWYvQzCc8-u11wn00Y2NGBYsULZu9e2Ap02tnJsEFifN47nA/s200/2007_0706ArchesCayonlands0054.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>I took Jessica to my favorite restaurant, Cafe Rio, and gave her a chance to rent an edited rated R movie. Oh yea, I took her to Jamba Juice as well. You've got to take advantage of being in Utah while you can. All in all it was a grand trip, packed full. I didn't have time to visit anyone other than the family at the wedding, so if you are one of my friends from Utah please don't feel forgotten. I just didn't have time.</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBGfjme724KZf56GMF9dUkHTiV-AJ7fx3Qyn7EyGnwvRC0mibMhAB0tGDqmY27EHNvR75u9FAwjrwv-vSDWkQY66MWP2T59x6qBzkxs4BJ6LB6nvIhr-r-tfwcVB3W9PPimQixow/s1600-h/2007_0706ArchesCayonlands0046.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5094600278314894578" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBGfjme724KZf56GMF9dUkHTiV-AJ7fx3Qyn7EyGnwvRC0mibMhAB0tGDqmY27EHNvR75u9FAwjrwv-vSDWkQY66MWP2T59x6qBzkxs4BJ6LB6nvIhr-r-tfwcVB3W9PPimQixow/s200/2007_0706ArchesCayonlands0046.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>I love you all!</div></div></div>Amber A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10567607654739957454noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23884099.post-71870298607054001592007-07-02T17:29:00.000-04:002008-11-13T07:19:58.846-05:00Mt. Marcy<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSgSl_hZFjSjn34M101JOukHkpc4nDhfFGpfH0nuySugQhj6csU5HMonrzE4prNES1tfCCzbGhPCiGS9kGwoFZeLZ1b05MCgYEaVobnH2NYFfeuijuyFOX0vgqp1HKTAydsvtwug/s1600-h/BrokenBridge.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082721375570227378" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSgSl_hZFjSjn34M101JOukHkpc4nDhfFGpfH0nuySugQhj6csU5HMonrzE4prNES1tfCCzbGhPCiGS9kGwoFZeLZ1b05MCgYEaVobnH2NYFfeuijuyFOX0vgqp1HKTAydsvtwug/s320/BrokenBridge.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Tm-OJ1cfUPMwzokKuURGdgBUV8Bptin6ZeL8GzDJWoqv0iEr0R8uWw6gsCUvo7F5zB1fyqFh46bJCxWCAHda4Kf4zwRm6Xh1md4gKmeTt0C0ePViJWBqBuL_ktnIaYuxmA0sQg/s1600-h/FriendsatTop.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082720215929057394" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Tm-OJ1cfUPMwzokKuURGdgBUV8Bptin6ZeL8GzDJWoqv0iEr0R8uWw6gsCUvo7F5zB1fyqFh46bJCxWCAHda4Kf4zwRm6Xh1md4gKmeTt0C0ePViJWBqBuL_ktnIaYuxmA0sQg/s320/FriendsatTop.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOg6XTXVjFWSuYAIioCgq1swA2V6lLesgSaKG3-jGOFkLrBbILHlIu3tXEA5_dWstAuodFUaeUKJSbBDmqPdR4Nia0l28eRKNcckBKYIoaAH1Srt1U2onKQuGa9YGWdYXuRVUdGQ/s1600-h/TopofMarcy.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082720224518992034" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOg6XTXVjFWSuYAIioCgq1swA2V6lLesgSaKG3-jGOFkLrBbILHlIu3tXEA5_dWstAuodFUaeUKJSbBDmqPdR4Nia0l28eRKNcckBKYIoaAH1Srt1U2onKQuGa9YGWdYXuRVUdGQ/s320/TopofMarcy.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>On June 9th, a group of friends and I embarked to climb Mt. Marcy the tallest point in the state of New York. It is located in the Adirondacks of North East New York. We left on Friday night so that we would have all the daylight needed to hike the over 14 mile trip to the top and back. On our drive to Mt. Marcy it was storming. The rain was falling so fast that just one step outside you would be soaked. I was a bit nervous about camping that night. I was in a SUV but it wasn't large enough for all four of us to sleep very comfortably. Anyways, we had to stop for gas, and I had to use the rest room. So I dashed through the rain into the rear of the gas station, to reach the bathroom which was located behind the storage room. So while I'm sitting there I hear this loud explosion so I just put my head down hoping nothing would land on me in that embarrassing position that I was in (being on the toilet and all). About 2 seconds later the power goes off and I'm sitting in the dark. Luckily the power wasn't out for too long. I found my way out and my friends were there waiting for me. I told them my intense survival story of the <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmG5iy0B0GDY9KH3RpEhzLMYO3lrzxcLQeuch6umV6En3luvbH5IDzxoF_onI6b-6XXWzrPeVaB-pQD98kAIIakpclL9Zn4_SUy3QA8pOS86bMHwMEQ4xL6c6INBcG5XGJ-jrCmQ/s1600-h/MeattheTop.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082720220224024706" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmG5iy0B0GDY9KH3RpEhzLMYO3lrzxcLQeuch6umV6En3luvbH5IDzxoF_onI6b-6XXWzrPeVaB-pQD98kAIIakpclL9Zn4_SUy3QA8pOS86bMHwMEQ4xL6c6INBcG5XGJ-jrCmQ/s320/MeattheTop.JPG" border="0" /></a>bathroom. A few minutes later the power went out again so we hung out in the gas station for a few minutes in the dark hoping that the rain would let up, but it never did. So we made my friend Jessica bring the car close to the door so we wouldn't get too wet. What a trooper she is. :) <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH5nyAf6Lg41OqdDDvDJ73rTb6t6UbPGYmQI7pY1DoCVCxnowmyfp035469zg7ebN0_mE7Nhb85gkcqba2cb4Fl2y7MljlxO3viViG-1c-Zvb4GKW3srsYevsrLt4qSqyWDI7NPw/s1600-h/AlmostThereMarcy.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082720211634090082" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH5nyAf6Lg41OqdDDvDJ73rTb6t6UbPGYmQI7pY1DoCVCxnowmyfp035469zg7ebN0_mE7Nhb85gkcqba2cb4Fl2y7MljlxO3viViG-1c-Zvb4GKW3srsYevsrLt4qSqyWDI7NPw/s320/AlmostThereMarcy.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The hike the next morning was beautiful. The weather was perfect except that the trail was now really muddy. I only brought my tennis shoes to hike in thinking that they had easy trails here in NY. Boy was I wrong. There was only a two mile stretch that was easy hiking. The rest was mud and huge rocks. The hike up wasn't so bad, but coming down sure did put pressure on all my joints. I wish I had my boots by the end.<br />Anyways, I've attached a few pictures of the hike for your enjoyment. I hope all are doing well.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Almost to the top:</div><br /><div></div></div>Amber A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10567607654739957454noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23884099.post-68495595218562230822007-06-26T09:55:00.000-04:002007-06-26T10:03:12.092-04:00MOTABWell on Saturday I went with my sister and several friends to see the Mormon Tabernacle Choir in Jamestown New York. I went in with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">mediocre</span> expectations, but was truly impressed by their performance. They did such a great job!! I was a little <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">sceptical</span> right as I arrived, because the arena was full of white hair. I felt as if I stood out simply because my hair was brown. Anyways, it was a wonderful performance and I would suggest it to anyone both young and old. I'm now preparing for my trip to Utah next week. I'll be camping in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Moab</span> and I checked the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">forecast</span> and it will be in the 100's. I'll be a lobster when I get back, but happy.Amber A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10567607654739957454noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23884099.post-63237365572213219322007-05-11T18:51:00.000-04:002007-05-11T18:52:09.299-04:00The last 7 monthsWow, it’s almost been 7 months since I last wrote. I have been really busy in life and at work. Today I have a free evening so I am taking some time to update my blog.<br /><br />I received a promotion around August of last year at work and started recruiting for my company. Now my job description is going to change (a lateral move) to focus more on employee relations. I will be traveling much more, which I like, and will have less administrative responsibilities. Hopefully things work out.<br /><br />As for my personal life, there really isn’t one. Well I’m not dating anyone right now but I do have a couple of good friends that keep me entertained. Summer is coming to Buffalo so I’m so excited to get my kayak out on the water again. I have a few trips planned for this summer. One of those trips I plan to come to Utah to visit my best friend’s new baby in August. Another trip I’m planning on going to Maine and eating some lobsters, and I have a trip in July scheduled to go to the Southern tip of the Hudson Bay in Canada with my ex-boyfriend. I’ll be sure and let you know how that one works out. J I also need to schedule a weekend to visit my Cousin Sharon’s new baby in Michigan. They are only 5 hours from me.<br /><br />I’ve had some fun adventures in the past 7 months. Buffalo has a hockey team, The Sabres, who are in the play offs now. Anyways, as a treat, my company took a select few in a stretch hummer limo to a Sabres game. Everyone but four people got to sit in a sweet with catered food. I was one of the four that had to sit in the 300 level seats. I wasn’t complaining though, especially after the limo ride and the $50 my director gave me to spend on food for the four of us. I thought the money would go far, but unfortunately the guys sitting with me were heavy drinkers and a beer at one of these events is $5 or more. So it was all I could do to get bottled water and a soft pretzel. <br /><br />I’m still very busy with my Church calling in the relief society presidency. I have been taking an 11 year old girl to church lately, because her mom needs to stay home and care for her two handicapped sons. Anyways, there was a “mother-daughter” activity at church and this young girl was invited. She asked me to be her “mom” for the activity. I was so flattered! It was a fun activity, but I felt kind of strange not being a mother at a “mother-daughter” activity. But this young girl is such an example to me of goodness.<br /><br />Well I’ve got to go and enjoy my night off. But I thought I’d leave you with an example of a typical week for me right now in my life:<br /><br />Monday: 8:00am till 5:30pm work, 6pm-7:30pm work out, 8-9pm catch last part of FHE in YSA, Dinner before bed.<br />Tuesday: 8:30am till 5:30pm work, 6-6:30pm dinner, 7-10pm Relief Society Meeting or Visits<br />Wednesday: 8:30am till 5:30pm work, 6-8pm work out, 8:30-9pm dinner<br />Thursday: 8:30am till 5:30pm work, 6-7:30pm work out (dinner as well), 8-9:15pm Institute<br />Friday: 8:30am till 5:30pm work, 6-8pm work out, or something social<br />Saturday: 9-10:30am missionary meeting, chores<br />Sunday: 9-1pm church and giving rides, Visiting Teaching (not every Sunday), movie watching<br /><br />I do have free time, but I always feel like I don’t. Though most of what I do is fun and entertaining for me. I need to start working out in the morning so that I have more time in the evenings.<br /><br />OK, I’ve got to go, but I hope everyone is doing well.Amber A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10567607654739957454noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23884099.post-1161296340088209802006-10-19T17:57:00.000-04:002006-10-30T17:34:12.126-05:00Friday the 13th Storm<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/849/2473/1600/Winter%20Storm%20010.1.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/849/2473/320/Winter%20Storm%20010.1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/849/2473/1600/Winter%20Storm%20018.1.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/849/2473/320/Winter%20Storm%20018.1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />My 29th birthday was on October 13th (a Friday). It was not a typical birthday for me. The largest accumulation of snow recorded for Buffalo, in the month of October, fell on Friday the 13th (some the night before). Our power went out on the night of the 12th and didn't come back on until the night of the 14th. I am one of the luckiest in Buffalo, because several of my co-workers still don't have power and it's been a week.<br />Buffalo was declared a disaster area on the 13th and a driving ban was put into place. So many things happen when the power goes out on such a large scale. First of all, the county water pumps don't work so they told us to conserve water. I did that. Then they said that we had to boil any water that we cooked with or drank. Because there was no power anywhere, I couldn't escape my house and lets say, go to a movie. Everything was closed for at least two days. No groceries, no gas, no laundry, no TV, no movies. Nothing!!! I was going crazy by the end of the first day. I had my friend drive as close as he could to my house and then I hiked out to meet him so that we could drive out of town to find a movie theater that was open. So for a couple hours I was entertained. It really goes to show how much I rely on media to entertain me at night time. Pretty sad, I know.<br />On the second day our basement had 5 inches of water in it and the water was just about to crest over the stairs. So my roommate and I started to carry the water out by bucket; up and down the stairs. After about 30 minutes I was just exhausted and my hands hurt from all the shoveling the day before and now carrying heavy buckets. My sister soon came home and she joined us for another 30 minutes. But we only lowered the water by about an inch an a half. We left to go a friends house who still had power so that we could charge our cell phones. I also used my car to charge my cell phone as well. Anyways, we were lucky that we found a submergable pump at Lowes (that was out of sump pumps) and by the time my roommate got home with the pump the power had turned on. The pump did the rest of the work that night. No more buckets of water for me.<br />My office was closed for three days. So I didn't have to go to work but I visited some of the restaurants to see how they were fairing anyways. Anyways, I thought I'd share this, my most recent adventure with everyone. I've included a picture of the road I drive to work everyday and my car. Enjoy!!Amber A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10567607654739957454noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23884099.post-1155590663763908102006-08-14T17:01:00.000-04:002006-08-14T17:24:23.776-04:00A little VisitorFor the past 10 days I have been playing hostess, along with my sister Cathy, to my oldest niece Sileena. She is 10 years old and as cute as can be. We flew her out from Longview Washington to visit us her in New York. We started out showing her the Mormon historical sites out in Rochester, NY. I quickly realized that 10 year olds are not too interested in "historical sites". So we took her to get icecream to make up for the not so interesting afternoon.<br />I learned several things from having my niece come to visit for those 10 days. The first thing I learned is that I love being singel!!!! Now those of you who are reading this (my mother for example), who are worried about me never settleling down, don't worry. I'm not saying that I don't want a family someday, but I am enjoying being single and care free while I'm here. With just one 10 year old, I had to do three loads of laundry!! She went through so many sets of clothing, I was actually shocked!! I also couldn't just come home from work and sit in front of the t.v. with whatever leftover I had and eat dinner. I had to prepare a healthy meal and sit at the table. Then there was the fun job of getting her up in the morning in time to make it to the day came that we had her enrolled in so that Cathy and I could still go to work. I was late for work twice because I failed as a child morning motivator. <br /><br />Single life is much easier. But I will not fail to highlight the positives of having a 10 year old around the house. So here they are:<br /><br />-Having someone to sleep on your shoulder during church<br />-Hearing funny stories that only a 10 year old could tell<br />-Hearing the giggle of a 10 year old<br />-Snuggling while watching a family friendly movie<br />-Answering questions about subjects that I haven't thought about in years<br />-Feeling "rich" because you can afford a movie and icecream<br /><br />I'm sure there are other benefits that I have failed to mention but I enjoyed having Sileena with me for those 10 days.<br /><br />Other than Sileena's visit, my life has been pretty normal. I have recently been given a calling in my church here in Buffalo called "Education Counselor" in the Relief Society. It was overwhelming at first to think of being in such a position in a family ward, but I realize that I'm not as young as I think I am, so I'm excited to jump in and see what I can do.<br /><br />I hope everyone is doing well.Amber A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10567607654739957454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23884099.post-1150234158038613242006-06-13T17:15:00.000-04:002006-06-14T11:43:11.506-04:00Friends & FamilyI haven't posted in over a month. I have been busy playing here in New York. I have a new friend who keeps me busy. I have purchased a Kayak and most recently a rack on my car to carry the kayak. About three weeks ago I went to a "Young Single Adult" conference near Rochester, NY. Basically a singles mingle. It was my friends birthday and she wanted a jacuzzi in the hotel room. So we ordered the jacuzzi, which nearly broke the bank for me. It was a fun weekend so it made it all worth it. Alas I did not meet any potential young men. If I'm still single at 30, I'm joining some sort of online singles meet and greet. But I am still enjoying being single for now.<br />My sister Cathy just ran 20 miles on Friday in preparation for her marathon that she is running in St. Petersburg Russia on the 24th of June. I was supposed to run with her, but my funds ran out so the trip soon became impossible for me. My sister and I enjoy doing things together but sometimes I just can't afford to keep up with her. Maybe next year. It was fun being her watergirl while she did the 20 mile training run. She did such a good job. She didn't even look tired. She was running on a 1.8 mile loop and I just walked/ran around for the 3 1/2 hours of her running, while also giving her gatorade and water as she passed WAY TO GO CATHY!!!<br />Some more family news is that my cousin Paul just returned from being a missionary in Canada and my adopted little brother as well, just returned from Paraguay. They were both gone for two years. I am sad that I won't be able to see either of them give their homecoming talks, but I am so very proud of both of them. I hope all my friends and family are doing well.Amber A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10567607654739957454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23884099.post-1146176730678561842006-04-27T17:55:00.000-04:002006-04-27T18:25:30.690-04:00Western New York Life<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/849/2473/1600/wedding%20009.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/849/2473/320/wedding%20009.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I feel as if I'm starting to catch onto what it means to be a Western New Yorker. First of all the Buffalo Sabres are in the NHL Play-offs. Hockey is crazy popular here. It is probably due to the fact that Canada is only about 20 miles from here. I wonder why "Curling" hasn't caught on as much as hockey? Besides hockey, lacross is also a popular sport. The Buffalo Bandits are also in the NLL (I think that is what it is called) play-offs. The locals say that Lacross came from the native american tribes who lived here way back when. I guess the Western Native Americans didn't catch on to the trend of Lacross back in the 1500's when it was really popular; thus the lack of interest in the sport out West.<br />Here comes the tricky part of trying to fit into Western New York (Buffalo). When you are watching one of the above sports you MUST have Buffalo wings to serve if you have guests over. Pizza is a preferred side dish. Actually in Buffalo they are almost never served separate. So I watched one of the last Sabre's hockey games at my "native" friends apartment and BOOOMMM. There were Buffalo wings and Pizza!! Some days I feel like an anthropologist in a foreign land trying to figure out the mores and traditions. I have included a picture of me in New Hampshire at the longest single lane covered bridge in the USA. Nothing to do w/ the Western New York topic but I like the picture and I loved visiting New England last fall(which I was able to do because I lived here in New York). See I knew I could fit it in somehow.<br />I feel it is my duty to spread the word that there are such things as mountains, spacious back-yards, jamba-jucies, houses newer than 20 years old, fry-sauce and non-catholics. Alas; When in Rome.........<br />So I am loving the New York life along with the people I am meeting and the traditions that I am learning.Amber A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10567607654739957454noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23884099.post-1145484042053862832006-04-19T17:49:00.000-04:002006-04-19T18:00:42.066-04:00The Wedding<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/849/2473/1600/wedding%20047.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/849/2473/320/wedding%20047.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />My best friend is officially married now. I got back late Sunday night from Utah. I was the maid of honor and had the opportunity to be dressed in Pink. I have never really been a fan of pink, but my dress was pink. It is good to bring out the more feminine side of me. I have included a picture of me in the Pink dress for those friends who don't believe it possible. Did I mention that I had to wear a pink dress? As the maid of Honor I had special duties, such as cleaning up after the wedding. While cleaning up, I decided to try and entertain the brides brothers. I just love an audience. So I was showing off my amazing gymnastic skills by jumping up onto the stage in the gym. The first time went well; a perfect mount and dismount. From the reaction that I received from the audience I decided to try it again. I didn’t make it. This caused an even larger out pouring of laughter than when I was successful. Needless to say, I have a huge bruise on my left thigh. The show must go on and the brides' brothers were entertained.<br /><br />On a more serious side, it was amazing to see my best friend getting married. I am so happy for her. It was a great week!Amber A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10567607654739957454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23884099.post-1144360227476297232006-04-06T17:39:00.000-04:002006-04-06T17:50:27.496-04:00Working Out!Yesterday I went with a 22 year old friend and worked out at her gym. I have not been in a gym for about 8 months. I have been running but not lifting weights. So yesterday I tried to lift what I was lifting before moving to New York. Overall I did well, but when I was doing leg extensions, something went wrong there. When I got home and sat on my bed (which is pretty low to the ground) my left butt muscle went into a spasm. So there I was writhing from a pain in my "#*#". It was quite the sight to see. But all is well today. Other than that my life has been rather normal. I will be heading out to Utah for a week. My best friend is getting married. I am really excited for her.Amber A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10567607654739957454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23884099.post-1143602869148199932006-03-28T22:16:00.000-05:002006-03-28T22:27:49.160-05:00Getting OutThis past Sunday was very difficult for me. In the morning I got up to go to church. My sister told me that she wasn't feeling well and needed me to teach her Sunday School class. So during the first meeting of church I had to prepare my lesson. The lesson turned out alright and no harm done. I always enjoy teaching anyways. <br />Then when I got home I was feeling traped in my house. I made a very pathetic phone call to a friend of mine asking her if she was willing to save me from bordom. She was very gracious and allowed me to come over. It was a beautiful day so we went for a long walk. It was exactly what I needed. What would life be with out friends? I don't even want to imagine.<br />On Monday my sister and I went shopping because we had no food in our house. It was quite the spectical to see. As we walked through the grocery store we each would slip a little something into the basket that we didn't want the other one to see. We had been out of food for so long our inner child stepped up and made several impulse buys. We bought things like, popsicles, a flat iron, a piture, expensive orange juice and rice pudding to top it all off. Sometimes I just love being an adult because I can buy whatever I want at the grocery store. What amazing freedom that is!!Amber A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10567607654739957454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23884099.post-1143045312209955652006-03-22T11:06:00.000-05:002006-03-22T11:35:12.220-05:00Getting in ShapeSo last night I decided to mix up my workouts. I usually just go for a 30 minute jog a few days a week. Nothing special. But I read this article in "Runners" magazine that said by doing sprint workouts a person could increase their overall race times and shrink their waist line. So I was very excited to put this sprint workout to the test. So I jogged over to the closest high school track (about a half mile away). On the straight part of the track I would sprint as hard as I could and then walk the curves. I have come to realize that very few adults run as hard as a they can on a regular basis if ever. I was trying to justify why I couldn't even finish 100 yards at full speed. Anyways, as the high school kids started to mill around the parking lot, I became painfully aware that I looked like a pathetic old person trying desperatley to get into shape. After each sprint I was huffing and puffing like I smoked my entire life. I am proud to state that I finished my workout despite the young students watching.Amber A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10567607654739957454noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23884099.post-1142545473003527852006-03-16T16:34:00.000-05:002006-03-16T16:44:33.016-05:00Nice CopsIn the past I have had mixed feelings about cops. But on my drive back from Washington D.C. the Cops have added a point to the positive side of the score board. While driving back I was in a southern NY town and I was pulled over for speeding. I will not disclose how fast I was going but lets just say my Father would be ashamed. Anyways the cop explained to me the ramifications of my pending speeding ticket. I started getting nervous by the words that were coming out of his mouth..."court, 4 points on license, fines". He then went on to explain the legal consequences of not wearing your seatbelt. After all the explaining he proceeded to ask me a yes or no questions, which he told me to think about before I answered. He then asked me if I was wearing my seatbelt when I passed him. I didn't think and immediately answered, "Yes"! He said "Maam, you didn't think about the question". He said a seatbelt violation was only $50 and no points on my license. Despite my very honest answer he gave me a seatbelt violation ticket. Did I mention that the cop was kinda cute. So I lucked out on that one.Amber A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10567607654739957454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23884099.post-1142108414275397582006-03-11T15:17:00.000-05:002006-03-11T15:20:14.286-05:00Trip to Washington D.C.My sister Cathy and I are here in Washington D.C. visiting friends and family. We drove down late last night (a 7 hour trip). I am hanging out with my Dad while Cathy goes to a birthday party for a friend of hers from Darden.<br />We both like to travel and these random weekend trips are always an adventure for us. We will be back in Buffalo by Sunday afternoon.Amber A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10567607654739957454noreply@blogger.com0