Sunday, May 2, 2010

Our Mexico Adventure

We just got back from Cancun last night- and while I'm fighting a sinus infection and not feeling all that great, I figure I need to update our blog with pictures from our trip before tomorrow comes. Because tomorrow I start DENTAL HYGIENE SCHOOL! And then there will be plenty more to blog about- so better do it now before I get too far behind!

For a graduation present my parents graciously gave us money to take a trip. We couldn't use it for rent, dental hygiene supplies (they know I would've saved it for that!), food, etc. They really wanted us to get away. So get away we did. We were under a time crunch. I graduated April 23rd and need to start school May 3rd. Bridger bit the bullet and took all his finals early so we were able to get away for the week! We took the red-eye flight out on Monday night- technically Tuesday morning- so we could get in and have at least half the day in Cancun on Tuesday.

Tuesday was hot and sunny. We played in the ocean for the afternoon, swam in the pools, read our books, played games- you know- the good stuff.




Bridger playing in the water and a parasailer in the background




Cool move Bridge! :)


Playin some beach volleyball


Wednesday was cloudy. So cloudy we didn't get any sun at all, which was alright with us because it meant we could stay outside ALL day without the fear of getting burned or just plain tired of the beating sun. Bridger joined in on some beach volleyball, and when it started POURING rain the weaklings in the group headed in. It wasn't like it was cold or anything- it was still in the 80's- so we jumped in the pool and continued the game in the water. Pool volleyball is HARD! You can hardly move in time to get the ball- but we had a bunch of fun people to play with and had a blast.

Thursday we headed out early for our Chichen Itza tour to see the ancient Mayan ruins. When we booked this tour we didn't realize it would take the entire day! We left the hotel at 7:15 and didnt get back until 7 or so. It was so fun though. I had already been to these ruins in 9th grade, but it was Bridger's first time seeing anything of the sort. The big bummer is you aren't aloud to climb up anymore- which was sad because I know Bridger was really excited for that. Apparently people have been carving their names in the walls and they don't want people to keep ruining the structure- so climbing is now a no-go. Bummer. Despite the heat (and I mean some serious heat), it's so cool to see the ruins and imagine the people that lived in those times. The Mayans were such an advanced culture and as our tour guide described the reasonings for the placement and design of the structures, I was so amazed about how smart these people were. On our way back we stopped by this sink hole that is pictured below. It was AMAZING!!! We really wanted to jump in and swim, but as you can see from the pictures it was really crowded. That wouldn't have even stopped us- but the thought of riding back on a bus for 3 hours in soaking wet clothes didn't sound very appealing. But man was this thing cool!

These ladies were balancing these bottles of alcohol on their heads and dancing


The sink hole- so many people were waiting to swim!

Friday we just relaxed at our resort the whole time. I started out with a massage early in the morning thanks to Pete and Marianne. We were going to do it out on the beach, but with how windy it was I wanted to actually be able to relax It was incredible- thanks Pete and Marianne! It was sunny and hot again that day- but SO WINDY like I said!!! They wouldn't put the umbrellas out because they would just get knocked over, and the wind created quite the wild waves out on the ocean. We weren't able to swim because of the rip tide- so we hung by the pools the rest of the day. Besides- it wasn't very pleasant getting sand blasted on the beach. Major exfoliation! We were content to stay by the pools drinking yummy drinks and playing games. We stayed out a little too long Friday because we got so sunburned! Even my shins were sunburned- when does that ever happen? That night we headed into town to eat at Bubba Gump. So yummy! We had so many types of shrimp- fried, chilled, stuffed, coconut, etc. I always love that place and the atmosphere there.

Why do these men think they look so good in a speedo?


Bubba Gump! We were burned and feeling it that night.

Saturday we had to leave the hotel around lunch time so we spent the last morning on the beach- despite the wind and exfoliation- and swam one last time in the pool.

All in all, our trip was so fun! We went to Puerto Vallarta for our Honeymoon in 2008 and were comparing our trip there to this one in Cancun. They both had pros and cons, so we're not sure what we would want to go back to. Our hotel in Puerto Vallarta was nicer, and the food was WAY better too- but it was way secluded and quiet, and the water was more gray/brown. In Cancun, the water was BEAUTIFUL, and the hotel was pretty active and quite the happening place. I'm sure you could find places with better food and nicer hotels in Cancun (not to say our hotel wasn't nice- it was! But our neighbors were a little too loud and had quite foul mouths for our taste. We didn't like that we could hear them through the door that connects the two rooms). And i'm sure you could find a place that is more in the middle of the action in Puerto Vallarta as well. But one thing you can't replace in Cancun is the beautiful water. That just can't be beat!


Who knows when our next trip will be- the next while will be full of school and such. But we were sure grateful to my parents for such a fun and much needed vacation.

Sunday, April 25, 2010

I'm A Dragon Slayer

Yes ladies and gentlemen... I have gone and graduated. Or as Martha would say... I have "slayed my dragon". And boy does it feel good- because it was a BIG dragon! Although it really doesn't feel real yet. Maybe it would feel more real if I were completely done with school forever.

ANYWAY.

Elder D. Todd Christopherson spoke at the graduation commencement- He did such a good job! I've always heard about how boring graduations are- but I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it! The boredom didn't set in until the Convocation, when everyone's names were called. But hey- it is all a part of the experience right? It's not every day that you get to graduate, so I tried to soak it in as best I could.

I'm very grateful for the chance I had to attend Brigham Young University. I realize that not everyone gets such a chance- so I feel extremely blessed. This school has amazing professors who know SO much, and they definitely challenge you until you think you can't do any more. I've had some amazing classes and have learned to be curious about what is going on around the world. Going to college shows you just how much you really don't know! There's a whole world out there ready to be discovered- and going to BYU was so amazing because I was able to learn from those who have really gone and discovered things in their respective fields. It's such a unique place where you get to feel the spirit and learn so much about the world and life in general. I'm so grateful to parents who made this college experience possible.

I am so happy I chose my major of Exercise and Wellness. When I began at BYU I really had no idea what I wanted to do. NO CLUE. I had always wanted to do dental hygiene growing up, but I let myself be scared by the hard classes that I would have to take in order to get there. Sophomore year I really started to panic. "What AM I going to study?!" Then some sort of a lightbulb went off in my head.

I CAN DO HARD THINGS

Who says I can't do anatomy, physiology, microbiology, or nutrition (all classes that were said to be BEASTLY at BYU). Who says? So I took them. I started out with nutrition and physiology, and guess what? I actually did well. So then I thought- I can do the other classes, the even HARDER classes. So I did. And I survived. And I LOVED IT! (With the exception of microbiology- I won't even to pretend to have liked that class). I loved learning about the body- how it works and functions, how it protects itself, and more importantly how WE can protect IT. Seriously- our bodies are amazing! I can't help but think of Heavenly Father when I learn all about the body and how smart he really is. Honestly, our bodies are so complicated and intricate- with different parts all working together to make everything function. Yes we get sick. Yes things go wrong. But think about how much of the time it works how it should? It's crazy. I won't ever regret choosing the major I did. It helped me learn a lot about myself, and even helped me achieve my dream of being accepted into dental hygiene school (many of the classes I had to take for my major were prerequisites for dental hygiene).

Below are several pictures from the weekend. I know, I know- you probably don't care about seeing ALL these pictures. But I can't pick and choose- and besides I really want to remember this day- This day that I worked SO HARD for. And this is for me to remember, right? Enjoy!


Going to line up!

Beautiful view

Me and my everything! He definitely helped me get through this journey.


Amidst all the craziness we ran into our friend Bob- Bridger's former mission companion! He graduated from the Masters in Accounting program- impressive!

Love my grandma! It was so nice of Grandma and Grandpa Johnson to make the trip down.

Love him! Such a great man.


It was really neat to be able to graduate with Daniel. WE DID IT DANO!


Hallelujah!

Some of the Eagle crowd randomly bumped into each other after my convocation.


We had a YUMMY YUMMY dinner at Greg and Michelle Wimmer's after graduation. Seriously- these guys are gourmet cooks! Thanks Greg and Michelle!

There you have it. Dragon slayed.


Tuesday, March 16, 2010

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BOO

I have managed to go without adding a post to our blog since we created it. Today is the day. I just wanted everyone to know how wonderful my wife is! Here are 22 things I love about Jordan, seeing as how its her 22nd birthday.

1. Intelligent
2. Motivated
3. Has a great outlook on life
4. Beautiful
5. Funny
6. Is an incredible friend (in all aspects)
7. Strong (physically, spiritually, and emotionally)
8. Compassionate
9. Charitable
10. Talented at so many things
11. Humble
12. She has beautiful hair
13. Very honest
14. Extremely hard working, even when she has no energy
15. Full of Intergrity
16. I love the way she sings in the car, sooooo great
17. Realistic
18. Very dependable
19. How much she loves her friends and family
20. She has a strong testimony of Jesus Christ
21. Best snuggler ever
22. I love the fact that she wants to be a dolphin trainer :-)


Without her I would fail miserably, she is the sweetest person I have ever met. Thanks for loving me Jordy, you mean the world to me. I hope you have a great birthday.

P.S. Jordan is the most gorgeous woman ever......................................whether she dresses up like a princess or a nerd :-)