the Lazy yet Buzy days of Summer... as an unemployed, non-student.

Who knew life could be so fantastic?! I guess that's what happens when you have basically no responsibilities to your name. So the last two months I have had no job... and for once in my life dont have school to attend to. What more could I ask for.... oh ya free rent, free food, and all the other perks of living at home. I must say I have really enjoyed all my down time and have filled it with lots of traveling and relaxing.
Here is a little bit of what I have been up to.

1. Wittwer Family Reunion! Bryce Canyon.

Izzy and I at Bryce Canyon.

Heidi and I.... We got drenched by the sudden downpour.

2. Camping in Zions: Angel's Landing Hike.

Thats where we are headed.. to the top of Angels Landing.

Along the way

Switchbacks..


Midnight Pancakes.. Yummy.
3. New Jersey and New York to visit Tyler and Erin in their new home!
We spent lots of time painting, decorating, and making Ty and Erin's new home so Great!
Tyler and Erin live less than 30 miles from NYC so erin, mom, and I went to "Mary Poppins" on Broadway! I loved it.
Mom and I in Times Square!

4. Hanging out with my nephew Jackson.
He loves the CAR!
Jack and Mom making faces!

One of these days... I am afraid sooner than I would hope... my freedom is going to come to a close..... but not before I head off tonight to COSTA RICA for a few days!

this is what FRIENDS are for . . .

I ventured on up to Salt Lake and spent the last few days with many good friends, mostly from my good days at Utah State. I had some of the greatest girl friends I could have ever asked for during my college years; Melissa, JoAnna, Jenni, Kim, Kacey, Whitney, Buffy, Paige, Sabrina, and Brittany . . . just to name a few. These type of friendships come once in a life time. I have been lucky enough to keep many of these friendships alive. Although we are now spread all over the country; pretty much coast-to-coast, married, single, engaged, and babies; we always like to get together with any possible excuse. I wish all of us could have been together to reunite but instead Jenni, Melissa, Jo, Sabrina, and I would have to do! (Sabrina; congrats, you looked adorable) I especially loved spending time with Jenni, Melissa, and Jo (the non-marrieds). Cant wait for the ring to start its journey. (Jo dont you be screwing it up this time.... no excuses).

I also have to give a shout out to ERICA JEAN! It was so great to spend lots of time with her. We always have the best time together whether chatting about our amazing adventures in Boston, creating new adventures, or talking about how much we love(and hate) the dietetics career and food... Although she is getting married (Nick you are a lucky guy and better take good care of E for me) I hope our good times continue! Trisha I also loved seeing you... I already miss not being your neighbor and seeing you everyday!

THANKS to all my friends over the years whether from Snow Canyon High, Utah State, or from Boston! You have helped shape who I am today! I love ya all. Thanks for being the best frieds ever.

gone Fishin'

I will be honest and say that I am not much of a fisherman on most days. I just dont have the patience to sit in a boat or along a lake/river for hours to catch a little fish.... but when it comes to fishing in Alaska, well that is a different story. There is just so much more excitement and a much better return on investment. So when my Dad inviting me along his Alaska trip I was all in... the week was full of fishing, relaxing, and really just enjoying the beauty Alaska has to offer. Now I have nothing but fish stories, memories, and lots of delicious Salmon and Halibut to eat up!!

Here are just a few of the highlights.... and lowlights.
The scenery was amazing.
Me and Jordan on rafting down the Kenai river. So fun, even though Dad had a little run in with a log jam (you will have to ask him to tell you that story)


My favorite type of fishing is for sockeye "red" salmon. You wade in the river... and do your thing!

In action.

I am trying to look like a hardcore fisherwoman here.. dont think that I can quite pull off the look??

Me, Dad, fishies, and Steve.

Now that is some good eating.

The group of us with some of our fish.

Whitney's Fish!! She finally was able to get one in.... pretty much the most exciting moment of the trip. Good Work WHIT!


So among all the fun there was one large hiccup in my week. Thursday we had a halibut deep sea fishing trip planned... I had done it before and had a great time so I was excited.... well i was excited til I woke up the morning we were to go and saw that it was a windy, rainy, and completely stormy day. We got to the boat and our captain decided that we would give it a try to go out and fish although many of the other boats had canceled because of rough waters. So we went out and needless to say I got so so so so sea sick. I can say that I have never felt so miserable in all of my life. There were moments that I would have rather been dead than be there on that boat. Lets just say that it was a long 8 hours on the rough sea waters. On top of being completely sea sick and throwing up ever half hour I was freezing cold. I couldnt go inside the cabin cause it only made me sicker so I stayed outside and got drenched by the waves. Lets just say that it is on the top of my list of worst days ever. I didnt even get to catch a halibut. I can say that I was never happier to be off the waves of the ocean and back on dry ground. You wont be seeing me out halibut fishing again anytime soon.... or hopefully ever.

That is me on the left in all of my misery. Not a good day. There were three others on the boat that also got to join in on the sea sickeness of fun, Jordan being one of them.


So that was my week :)

my kind of NIGHTMARE

So I woke up this morning with my heart racing.. I had a nightmare and it went a little like this.....

my highschool softball coach (coach kittrell) for some reason was helping coach the Red Sox. This would usually be awesome because I could get all kinds of hook ups, but instead when the Red Sox needed another right fielder, he called me up to play... not a good idea. I played only one inning, but it really was a disaster. We were at Fenway and every ball was hit my way, either grounder, fly ball, or magically it appeared on my side of the field. Try as I did, I was awful. I couldnt catch, throw, or field. I wanted to crawl into the corner and hide it was so humiliating. The parts I remember most were when some of the players yelled at me to actually try!! I was trying. This is not how I wanted my first interactions with the Red Sox players to be. The one question I had was why I didnt get pulled from the line-up after one or two errors? Instead they had to let me have 10 in my first major league baseball game. Cmon coach.

The last thing I remember is me sitting on the bench looking at the batting order, I was ninth.... good thing, cause I woke up before I had to humiliate myself even further in front of millions of Sox fans.

I know it sounds weird but I more than ashamed to let Red Sox Nation down. From here on out I will leave the playing to Youk, Drew, Coco, Jacoby, Manny, Papi, Papelbon, Lowell, Lugo, Tek, Dustin, and the rest of the clan.

Belated 4th of July - LAKE POWELL

Happy Birthday America!! This year I got to spend the 4th in one of my favorite places in this world.... Lake Powell. What was even better was that ALL of my family was there... also my aunt, cousin, my cousins friend, JoAnna, Joanie, and my sister's friend was there. We had a Blast! Here are some highlights of the trip.
SEEING SPOTS ANYONE? Our houseboat was appropriately named, "The Animal House." It was covered... and I mean covered from ceiling to floor with all kinds of animal print. The decorators didnt forget any aspect. Even the towels, placemats, plates, window coverings, and pillows were covered in the leopard print.

TWO OF THE CUTEST NEPHEWS EVER: Little Hank and Jackson.

OUR GAME OF WATER BASEBALL (lake style) We used the trampoline as the pitchers mound and the bases were each made up of tubes. It was pretty awesome and a Great workout.

WAKEBOARDING


MY MOM & DAD LOOKING AS GREAT AS EVER!

WAVERUNNERS- enought said!

Where in the Good ole' U. S. of A ??

-1 packed car loaded and ready to cruise 2600+ miles and 10 states from Boston to Santa Clara, Utah.
-624,348,215,067,273,751 gallons of water flowing, falling, spraying, drenching, churning, and looking amazing at Niagara Falls.

-pitstop 1: Lackawanna, NY: day 1 complete. This place was full of amazement. the king size bed, sunset over lake erie, and spinach and artichoke dip topped off a successful day 1.

-Day 2 was a day of spiritual upliftment: Kirtland, Ohio. Loved the temple, the history, and peace!


-Day 3: Chicago, Illinois.
-316 booths offereing the best food in Chicago at the "Taste of Chicago." I could really use some of that grilled corn on the cob about right now.
-5 miles of walking along lake michigan. Beautiful but so hot.
-More freshly inked tattoos than I have ever seen (apparently they were having a national tattoo convention at Navy Pier.
-My first experience with "real" chicago deep dish pizza. I was hooked from bite one.
-The magic Bean: so the locals call it? JoAnna loved this place with all her heart!
Day 3 complete.



-Day 4: Lots of time on the road enjoying bales of hay, hills of green, red barn yards, cows, and more horizons. I felt free as a bird. haha.
-JoAnna kept me entertained by being my own personal book on tape. 2 books complete... Thanks Blair for the lending us the entertainment and thanks Jo for reading outloud for hours and hours.
-I always love road trips because it gets me re-aquainted with songs on my Ipod that i havnt listened to in forever.
-We had the honors of stayin in Ogalla, Nebraska, which I believe to be the greatest American, hick town in all of the U S of A! I felt like I had been warped back to the 90's. I had forgotten what it is to be part of the this special group of people.... but honeslty the people at the "golden Spur Steakhouse" made us feel right at home with the best homemade food and personal service. So if any of you are ever in Ogalalla, Nebraska, be sure to stop by the "Golden Spur." You will not be dissappointed. Day 4 complete.
-Day 5: more driving... through the rest of Nebraska, Denver, over the Rockies, and into beautiful Utah!! Gotta Love ZION.

Mission complete: I feel like I have conquered a big chunck of the US.. Next U.S. destination.... the South; anyone want to join me?

my last week in BOSTON!

Sorry that this is the longest post ever...

the day finally arrived. I was leaving Boston.... Boston really has become my home. I have loved so many things about this place. The experiences I have had here have shaped who I am today. I have made so many amazing friends, worked with so many great people, and have realized that every individual is special in their own way. I love the diversity that is in Boston.... it has taught me to love all people. I am not only goint to miss the diversity of people that Boston has to offer but also the diversity of FOOD!! I love food... and being a food lover, boston is the place to be. I now realize what REAL GOOD FOOD taste like. Along with the food and friends I have found in Boston, I am going to miss the Red Sox almost more than anything. I must admit that I am a true sox fan. I love to go to the games, but since my budget doesnt allow me to go to all the games I am content with watching them on my tv, going to a sports bar to catch the game, or just reading about them the next day. I never thought that I would be one to become so involved with a sports team but I can say that I feel like many of the players are my friends. haha.. I dont know what I am going to do without NESN (new england sports network) that broadcasts every sox game.
Well anyway... I made sure my last week in Boston was packed with all of my favorite things... I tried to document with pictures ... but I missed a few of the events!! Enjoy.

Thursday: Celtics Rollin' Rally. WORLD CHAMPIONS. These are pics I took down at the parade with all of the players!!
The crowds were crazY!
My man Paul Pierce. MVP.
The Banner... and kevin garnett's arm holding the trophy (if you look closely)
(more of the crowd)

Friday: Jo and I headed to Newport, RI. We went to the cliff walk where all the mansions are, and then ate at Flos Clam Shack... Flo wasn't kidding when she claimed to have the best seafood Rhode Island and in AMERICA... my shrimp and Jo's Fish and Chips were amazing. The view from the upper deck wasnt too bad as well. Afterwards we went and walked down on Newbury street!!





Saturday: Spent time with lots of friends. I went to a bridal shower for a friend... and then had a BBQ celebrating Brian & Aly and Jason and Luara's engagements! So fun to chat with so many of the great people I have become friends with over the past two years.

Sunday: Last day of church at the Longfellow Park first ward!! A little weird to think that I will no longer be attending church in Cambridge. It has been a great ward... the bishopric... the teachers... and my friends... all will be missed. Later in the evening... Tristan, Emily, Jo, and I drove out to the beach and watched the sun go down. I never had much of a love for the ocean... but over the past two years I have realized how much I love the ocean. Hearing the water and waves crashing against the shore always brings me a feeling of calmness.



Monday: RED SOX game and dinner at Cask'n Flagon(rated #2 sports bar in the country) haha.. I had the best spinach and artichoke dip with pita bread I have ever had (and I have had a lot). there is nothing better than starting off a night with good food and then spending a cool evening at Fenway with two of my great friends.. JoAnna and Blair. Up to this point I hadnt gotten too sad about any one thing til I thought that it would probably be a long while before I would be sitting back at Fenway watching the sox.

Me, Blair, and JoAnna... I already miss you guys and our good times watching the games. Blair you better keep me posted over the summer.

Rally CapS!!!

Tuesday: The beach.. everyone else had to work so Jo and I headed to Nahant beach to get some rays and enjoy the beauty! Afterwards we ate at a little restaurant overlooking the ocean. Delicious! what was even more delicious was that later in the evening I went to the Northend and at at Giacamos Italian Restaurant. AFter eating such amazing Italian food in Boston, Italian food just isnt going to be the same. Although the food was amazing, the best part of the night was when we were waiting outside in line to eat and Boston decided to have a freakin' mini hurricane. It was crazy!! We were all completely drenched... my umbrella was shredded... and Jo even had to buy new pants because she had khakis on(and they were a little see through). It was one of those memories that you will never forget. I made sure the stop on by Mikes Pastries one last time and get a cannoli. Cannolis really are heaven sent. So Thank you Italy!

This is post hurricane. Arent Jo's new "Italia" pants so cute. I love the whole navy blue ensemble.
After dinner.. Jo and I in the northend.

Wednesday: This was my last full day in Boston so I awoke early and went down to the Charles river to go running and take pictures. The Charles river is one place that I have found where I can really be at peace. If I need time alone to just ponder or be alone I head to the Charles. Just sitting on the shore or running along the edge always brings me peace and serenity. The charles will be missed.



Later a group of my friends and I went to Jose's... I hadnt really found any really great mexican food since being in boston so when i heard about Jose's I thought it would be the perfect way to end my time in Boston. I was not dissappointed. it was great food... and the fried ice cream topped it all off perfectly. I could not have asked for a better last night in Boston.


GOODBYE BOSTON!! You will be missed.

Thursday: Lola (my car) was packed full and ready to go... even Karen (my tv) fit. Off we went on our 5-day cross country road trip..... (that story to be continued)