Saturday, September 5, 2015

Summertime II

The tall girl continues to have fun. She has been a busy little bee and there's a lot to catch up on so this intro is short other than to tell you it is a catch up post.

Family Fun
I got to meet little Clara. She’s adorable!


Grumpy face

Happy face
Karrah and I went shopping on the Monday after the 4th because I had work off. I also got my hair cut and she helped me do the final cleaning on my apartment. I always enjoy the days we have together to party.

Karrah, Seth, and I partied it up last weekend. It was so fun! We went to the Payson temple in the morning, took naps, then headed to this new reservoir from Hobble Creek. The water was freezing cold! Wow. I was not expecting it to be so cold, but it was! I enjoyed getting out of the water and into the sun. The second time we ran into the water, so it made it easier to get wet. Slow freezing water torture is terrible. Karrah loved it and if the water hadn’t been so cold we may have stayed there forever. She said she didn’t feel pregnant so she just wanted to stay! (Check Karrah's blog for pics...she took some). We came home and had a barbecue with Cousin, Nateo, and Clara. Super fun!

I won again!
As a junior in high school, I had to interview to win an all-expense paid trip back to DC. Just a couple weeks ago I won another trip! I had to interview, and then they flew me out. This time it wasn’t nearly as fun or as long, but it was still really good! I had many tender mercies come to me. The first was a gentleman who was holding an ensign on the shuttle to the rental car place. I asked him if he came from Salt Lake, when he responded no, it opened up the conversation even more. We got chatting and said our goodbyes to get our cars. The rental people must have thought there was no rush because they were taking their sweet time. I was nervous and scared for it being so late, I just wanted to get to my hotel! Before I had made it to the front of the line, I saw this gentlemen standing along the back wall patiently waiting until I got my car. He said he couldn’t leave without making sure I had a car and I was set to go. He led me to where to pick it up and told me that he was a bishop in Omaha, so he automatically takes people under his wings of care. He also said he has children and how they think they can conquer the world yet he would be sitting at home absolutely terrified knowing his baby was landing in an unknown city at 1 o’clock in the morning. I was grateful for his care and that he made sure I was safe. What an example to me of service.

This is what my hotel looked like, first pic is from inside the elevator. 


 




Honestly I felt the interviews were not my best. One of them was over video and it died in the middle. That was interesting! I was alone in this big conference room and didn’t know what to do or where to find people to help. Luckily, the guy I was interviewing with knew how to help me. I also saw another candidate that was also interviewing for the position. I don’t really like when that happens.

When I took this picture, a guy walked by and stated, I didn't do it!
For my fun, I went into the city on the subway and toured the Library of Congress with my friend who works there. It was neat! I don’t know why we didn’t tour it when we were out there before. I was going to see some rare books, but they were having a rare book show for VIPs and we didn’t qualify. I was so grateful to see my friend and for his knowledge about the building and displays.

Oh, I just see Coke everywhere and sometimes I take a pic

It was crowded. I couldn't get my hand out to take a pic when it was super full!

The Gutenberg Bible. All printed by hand! WOW!

It's a beautiful building. 

All these little babies around the building represent the different nationalities in America. 

Beautiful tile job. 

A greek god with a script...

The story record of the war. Don't know the name. 

You can see capital hill in the background. 

Library from the outside. 

One of the biggest esclators I have ever ridden . 

The subway. 
 
After my interview I went to the DC temple. What a beautiful temple! It is so pretty and gorgeous inside and out. In the session, there is no isle between the chairs, so men and women can sit right next to each other. I had heard of this so I didn’t pay particular attention to where I sat. As I looked down later, I noticed the arm on my right side was brown while the rest were white. I had luckily chosen the last seat on the women’s side. Oh, how awkward it would have been if had been even one more seat over!
  


 My meals were yummy, and quick. I didn’t want to spend too much time eating, so I grabbed things that were quick.

Hotel meal.

I probably chose one of the more sketchy places to eat...I was just so hungry.

Yummy.

Reunion Time

We got to go to Heber Valley camp again for our Brady reunion. I honestly feel it is a little too short for a reunion, but still totally worth it. We met up at the park for lunch and then went up to the camp afterwards. We had a classic Brady family Winnie roast for dinner. We typically have a talent show, but I think we all doubt our talents so Michelleigh put together a great show where we demonstrated random talents of acting, bop-it, puzzles, etc. Probably the funniest thing I saw was during the candy bar game when we had to match little sayings to the candy. There was a saying that said, “What Kitt and Klaire are searching for…” Can you guess? Yep, a Mr. Goodbar. So true. I was in charge of the kid cabin this year. We had some new kids that are old enough that their parents are okay with letting them be under my jurisdiction for an evening. We had a little dance party with Matthew as the DJ, a strobe light, and the dance floor. Only about four of us danced but no one seemed up for games so it was our only option. Those kiddos were funny and very well behaved.

The next day we had a family history scavenger hunt and jeopardy game. Both, very fun. They were well planned and engaging. We all wanted to know all the answers so we could get our stories associated with the right person. My sisters and Ryan did a great job. Sisterbug and I planed the games for the afternoon. I wasn’t entirely please with them, but it worked out okay. I think people enjoyed some and didn’t like others. But, people of all ages did participate which was what we hoped! Cleanup went quickly and well. I had my kid crew helping me clean the cabins and we passed with flying colors. I was grateful for their help, they really did a good job!

The kid cabin

My pet deer.

I got lots of good cuddles from this cutie. 

It was sad to say goodbye to my dear cousins, I don’t seem them nearly enough. The reunion was so much fun and it was great to be with them! I love them dearly and I can feel their love for me. What a blessing families can be together forever.

The after party was at Auntie G’s. I was grateful I didn’t have to go farther than my home. It was nice to have extra time with my sisters and the Black’s joined us too.

Dating
I had a sorta date and a date in the same day, with two different guys. One was with Baller, he wanted to play tennis. I met him in Provo and we played. It was fun. We just hit back and forth so there was no winner. Which, I was fine with. It allows me to be less frustrated. I try not to mention to people that I am a state champ because my skills do not match that prestige outside of 1A tennis in my homeland.

The second date was a real one, he picked me up in his Audi. Then we went to the trolley in Springville. He really liked to talk about himself, which is fine, but when he asked me questions they were interesting. He also couldn’t decide on what type of wings he wanted so they brought him all the sauces in little cups so he could try them all. I ate my huge salad and he couldn’t finish his 10 wings and cup of fries. When we got back to Auntie G’s he wanted to look at the back yard. He saw the hammock and was so excited. He hopped in while I stood there. He asked me to join, and I refused. He was bummed by that response and in a few minutes gave me a hug and said goodbye. Needless to say, I haven’t heard from him.

The tall girl has told you of her adventures so far. She will have more tales to tell in a short time but for now, peace out.


-the tall girl

Tuesday, August 4, 2015

It's Suummmeerrr!!

The tall girl has the same passion for summer as Olaf. She loves the heat, the sun, and the fun and usually never gets enough of it! Plus, everyone seems a little bit happier in the summer. Nature does good things for the soul. She has gone on many adventures this summer and continues seeking opportunities to create memories because creating memories is her favorite thing to do.

HK Visitors
We had HK visitors come to work a few weeks ago which it was super awesome because we got to do some of the cool activities with them. I really like people from over there; they are so sweet and loving! Our first extravaganza was to the bottling plant. They don’t give public tours of this place because you are literally inches away from the bottles and syrups. They could top those cans so quickly I was amazed! I wish I had a video or something to share so you could see how fast they were doing it. I don’t think I can even snap as quickly as they were topping those aluminum cans.

The next day we toured the warehouse which I wasn’t too excited about, I didn’t think we’d be doing anything besides walking around. But, oh, I was mistaken. We have one of the only auto-pick systems in the world. Well, we for sure the first to bring it to the United States. We enter what the product is we need and it sends the forklift drives for the product and they can’t unload or load unless it’s correctly scanned. Then, it puts it on shelves where it wants then it will unwrap the product and only take one case or two if needed. It builds specialized pallets. Wow! Check out the pictures, I have a hard time with a steady hand so you’ll have to forgive.

One of the specialized pallets going off to get some more.

The huge storage shelves for individual packs of product.


Somehow it knew what the product was and which side of the belt to send it to!



Johnny and a lot of coke!

One of my favorite drinks.

On Friday, we went to dinner at the aquarium and ate in the Shark Tank room. I am really frustrated because I didn’t get a good picture of the dinner area while we were there, so I found a simple one that demonstrates the point. We had bacon wrapped shrimp for appetizers, a berry salad, filet mignon, potatoes, asparagus, and layered chocolate cake to top it off. It was all so delicious! :)

Then, we got free reign of the whole aquarium. It was awesome! I didn’t have to worry about blocking the view of any little kids. I didn’t have to wait to pet the sting rays or the star fish. We only had maybe 20 of us, so it was quiet and very fun. My HK friends all gave me a hug as I left. I had only had small conversations with them, but they appreciated that I guess.


I was so sad when this was blurry!! ...but, it's where we ate.



This is a giant clam, watch out!

The petting location for star fish and other creatures.

Some of the turtles were injured so they have to put weights on to help them balance.



Baby penguins. Penguins mate for life and they all have their designated area.

This was a fun net bridge I walked across.

Doesn't this look just like my stuffed Toucan?

These fish live in the Amazon and they jump! crazy. 

A closer pic of that huge fish!

Huge gross snake.
Passion fruit blossom, only comes out every once and a while. And it was the only one there!


Funny looking birds.

Exploring Utah exhibit. 

Nasty salamanders. 

Don't forget the whales. :)

Missionary Time
We got to go through the temple with Jared. It was a neat experience. I think when I told him that I had only gone through in December he was absolutely shocked. With his newness to the temple, it reminded me of my first time. What a great experience. He also gave his farewell talk a few weeks afterwards. He did a great job! As he started to share his testimony, the Spirit filled the chapel and I knew he would be able to influence a lot of people for good. He has grown a lot in the last month since he received his call. Look out Fresno, here comes a great missionary!



Fun FHE’s
·         Classic Skating
·         Water volleyball
·         Giant Twister (spray painted the colors in the grass)
·         BBQs
·         Watermelon Carving



A kid did this! Crazy!

Skeet Shooting


Month of Holiday Celebrations
July is always fun, two holidays packed with fireworks and happy reunions. For the Fourth, I stayed overnight with the Black’s and went to their ward pancake breakfast. We then walked around the wetlands enjoying the beautiful weather. I had never walked around there before and it was fun to see the animal life and water. I eventually headed home to let them continue with their plans to celebrate with the rest of the Black family. Also, my toenail fell off. I was just putting my sandals on, and it kind of got caught, gross! Here’s what it looked like.

Because of the toe injury, I just watched my friends play waterslide kickball. I didn’t want to risk toe infection. Auntie G, Uncle D, and I went to the MTC fields to watch fireworks from the stadium. We were joined by cousins and a couple of my friends. I was a jungle gym for the night, but I got a few cuddles from the little ones too.

Shrub hula-hooping, it was hilarious. 

the wetlands.


Fireworks!

A gift from my visiting teachers. 

About a day after it came off...

The 24th was also a good holiday even though I had to work. I had a BBQ with my ward and then watched the fireworks with Uncle D and Auntie G. We had front row seats. The booms and ash were all around us. The fireworks were huge and impressive. I loved them! 




My posts will be a little out of order, but I didn't want to post everything in a huge long post. So, stay tuned for more updates from the tall girl. 

Peace out.

-the tall girl