Owning It

Meg's visit

2011-05-25T11:11:00.000-07:00

My friend Meg was in town last week from Saint Thomas. She came to Salt Lake to party with me, before her next adventure. She is moving to Nigeria in July to work with Doctors Without Borders. She is so kick ass!

Our "partying" mostly included hanging out with my family:

and hiking in southern Utah:

The Salt Lake City Marathon

2011-04-26T20:02:00.001-07:00

On the 16th of April I finished my sixth marathon with a personal record of 4:26. I was in so much pain, but I made it...here is photographic evidence:

Mile 25, so happy to see those girls

Half way!!!

The final stretch...

Done.

What marathon to do next?

Spring Break

2011-03-21T18:47:00.000-07:00

Timo flew to Salt Lake City for his spring break...seriously fun. It was kind of like SPRING BREAK '97 but better. It actually reminded me a little of SPRING BREAK 2003, which is kind of what life was like in St. Thomas. Only here, there was no beer, no beach, it was 30-50 degrees colder and I am 10 shades whiter. Thank goodness we saw frat boys that drove from Georgia.

Over the weekend we drove to Moab to hike in Arches and mountain bike around the park. We are so awesome!

A-MAZING!

President's Day = Awesome

2011-02-21T21:06:00.001-08:00

Today was amazing. This month and last month I worked a "butt-load". This weekend I finally had a few days off. I aspired to do something fun, and I did. SNOWSHOEING.

Sue and I hiked up east canyon.

...and, I organized my front closet. This weekend was so fun.

- Posted using BlogPress

Hilo, Hawaii

2011-01-11T22:37:00.000-08:00

The first week of the year I flew to the big island of Hawai'i to visit my brother, Seppo. As you might imagine, my trip was AWESOME.

Here is a photo journal of my week in paradise.

Day 1:
Kick-butt run (See previous post)
Hiking to the waterfalls in and around Hilo
Watching whales from Seppo's balcony

Day 2:
Snorkel
Hot spring
Natural steams room
Went to see the lava flow

This snorkeling spot was beautiful

The lava was much more impressive in real life

Day 3:
$5 sunglasses from Walmart...Dream-mart
11 mile hike over lava flows
Camp on the beach

Day 4:
Snorkeling at a remote beach
Hike 1 bajillion feet in elevation, back to the car

Day 5:
Relax

Day 6:
Scuba diving
Manta Ray night dive

Day 7:
Camp
Butt-kicking run
Relax
Fly back to Salt Lake City

12 mile run

2011-01-02T20:05:00.001-08:00

I'm running again. My next marathon will be slc. Training starts now for those of you who want to join me.

While visiting my brother Seppo, I am taking advantage of the warm weather running. Today I ran 12 miles. Here are some photos of my run.

Seppo (pictured above) ran 20 miles today...he finished his run 30 min after me. Sad. Plus awesome.

I saw a turtle under this bridge.

Just one of the many waterfalls in Hilo, Hawaii.

I love it here, I feel like I'm on the set of Lost.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Kalanianaole Ave,Hilo,United States

Greece part 2

2010-11-23T19:55:00.000-08:00

After the marathon the group of us limped onto an overnight ferry to Crete. The rest of the days run together. On Crete we stayed at the most amazing villa. On Crete we visited ruins, beaches, small towns, and a ravines . Here is a photo journey of days 3-6...

We missed you Time K. Price

Greece

2010-11-18T20:36:00.000-08:00

Last month my family and I traveled to Greece to run the Athens Marathon Sadly, Timo, David and the tinies weren't able to come. The trip, nevertheless was amazing. Here is a photos journey of our adventures.

Day 1: We all arrived in Athens and picked up our race packets

Day 2: Race day

Days 3...through the rest of the trip to come.

Mobile uploads

2010-11-01T03:23:00.001-07:00

Yesterday was amazing. My family (minus Timo and Dave :( ) ran the Athens marathon, 2500 years after Phiedippidis ran to Athens to announce the Athenian victory over Persia, at the Battle of Marathon.

Our race ended in Athens at the original modern day olympic stadium. 4:25 min after crossing the starting line, I entered the stadium with crowds of people from all over the world cheering me on.

That's right victory, bitches.

...more photos to come.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Crete

SLC, LA, Boston...SLC

2010-09-21T09:35:00.000-07:00

For nearly the last two years I have lived as a nomad, out of my backpack, suitcase, or my car. I've had amazing adventures, and met amazing people. I am so blessed. Over the summer, I made the decision to settle down for a bit and establish tiny, microscopic roots. I debated quite a bit about whether I would settle in Salt Lake, LA, or Boston. I also contemplated, first continuing my adventures in Hawaii and ending them in Central America. Since I am fairly indecisive, I decided to "let the chips fall where they may."

In August, the chips fell in Salt Lake. I am preparing to start working at Planned Parenthood next week.

Once completing my job in Los Angeles in August, I drove to Salt Lake. I was at most 2 hours out side of Los Angeles, when I received a call from the hospital I had been working at in LA. The assistant manager asked if I could return until the end of September. I agreed to come back, after I spent a week in Salt Lake.

I had a great time in Salt Lake. I spent most of my time with the girls.

Hiking in the Canyon

Throwing rocks at city creek

Watching video games

Watching bugs

When I returned LA I spent most of my time working and hanging out with my good friend Kris.

She is such a rock star!

During my time in LA, I had some days off. I could think of nothing more enjoyable, then to spend that time traveling. I packed my bags and few to my beloved Boston. There, I was able to spend time with my brother, my sister-in-law and my nieces and nephew.

Kai at school. He is so proud of his desk

Dropping Nea off at Kindergarten. I love that all the kids are surrounding Tiff.

Kai built a fort to play in, with Aila

Showing Nea the joys of pedicures

Two days ago, I drove to Salt Lake. I am excited about my new life, although a bit apprehensive about settling down ;) I think about my new life here, constantly. This morning, I went for a run and in the midst of my anxiety, I had a realization...

I think I am going to like it here :)
...for now.

Vacaville, San Francisco and the Redwoods

2010-08-02T15:31:00.001-07:00

Last week I had a few days off, so I decided to take a road trip up north. My friend Brandon lives in Vacaville, outside of San Francisco, and my friend Meg (from St Thomas) was visiting her sister in SF. I spent Friday with Brandon, and the rest of the weekend with Meg hiking in the Redwoods. It was a great weekend.

The Merrybrook Lodge

A Buddist Stupa in the Redwoods

The view on our way back to SF

A view of the Redwoods

"You can get anything you want, at Alice's Restaurant"

Meg

Meg and me

Los Angeles

2010-07-20T02:32:00.000-07:00

Los Angeles is a crazy city, but I am enjoying my life here. Gradually LA is feeling more and more like home. Which means, my short time here is near it's end. I am not sure where my next adventure will be. I am contemplating a number of different options, including staying in LA, Boston, Hawaii, Utah, DC, Seattle, Denver, etc. I have 2 weeks to decide. No pressure.

Among the things that I like about LA, is proximity to family. Last week, I took a last minute trip to Utah, to spend time with Tiff, Leena, David, my neices and nephew. We had a blast together.

After I left, Leena, David, Annuka, and Satu drove out here to spend the weekend with me. It was a wonderful week.

After 45 minutes of shopping, we had all reached our limit.

Enjoying the beach

A Small Detour

2010-05-11T00:00:00.000-07:00

Tragically my time in St Thomas is over. I took a travel nurse assignment in Los Angeles this summer. I had very little time in between my assignments and there was driving to do, classes to take and an unrelated interview to go to. However, I had timed everything perfectly.

Three days before starting work, I began my drive to LA from Phoenix, where my class had been. About an hour into my drive, I received a phone call from my nursing recruiter. My job was delayed by two weeks.

So I turned my car around, and took a little detour to Salt Lake City.

I drove by the Hoover Dam

Through Las Vegas

(The road to Salt Lake City was closed due to a wild fire, so I had to take the long way around)

And through the Utah desert.

It was worth it.

Visitors

2010-05-10T22:01:00.000-07:00

April was filled with visitors. It was so much fun to have more of the people I love on my islands.

Jasmine came first. We had a blast...but didn't take a single picture. Lame!

This is a photo of Jasmine and me from 2007. This was kind of what our trip was like, only sunnier.

After Jasmine left, my parents and little brother came to visit. I had been looking forward to their visit for months.

Here we are...

Beaching it...

Hiking it...

Paddle boarding it...

Kickin it...

It was so much fun to have family out. After my parents and little brother left, my friend Michele, part of my Boston family came out.

New Haven

2010-05-10T21:46:00.000-07:00

In March I took a short trip to New York, in hopes of discovering my life plan. Although, I did not find my mission, I did spend some time with some of my favorite people: Seppo, Tiffany, Kai, Nea, Aila and Amy.

Tragically, we didn't take many photos. However, when I arrived back in St Thomas I found this on my camera:

I was so happy!

A vacation

2010-03-06T21:01:00.001-08:00

It isn't very often that you get a break from your real life, even in St Thomas. Living here, I still have the chores of daily living. Even sunny, 85 degree days and white sandy beaches can become part of a routine...a wonderful, wonderful routine.

Last week, I FINALLY got a vacation. My sister and 5 of her friends (Arianne, Kathy, Felicia, Lisa, and Courtney) came for a visit.

The seven of us stayed in my one bedroom apartment. We crammed 5 blowup mattresses into my bedroom, shared a bathroom and we claimed corners for our stuff. It was our own hostel.

We spent the majority of our days at visiting different beaches

Magen's Bay

St. John/Little Maho Bay

Just some guy and a hermit crab fort.

Coki Beach

Secret Harbor

Sapphire Beach

Smith Bay

In the evenings we explored the restaurants on St Thomas. I learned that although there is a lot of really crappy food here, there are some good places to eat too.

Of course, Leena and I decided that the most fun thing we could do on our vacation is to go for an 8 mile run, at the crack'a dawn, uphill. We climbed 1000 feet in 5 miles. We pretty much kick ass.

8 "tuff" miles

It was a seriously awesome week!

Haiti

2010-02-07T15:21:00.001-08:00

Last week, I had the amazing opportunity to go to Haiti and assist with the relief efforts that are going on there. After three night shift on St Thomas, my friend Meg and I hopped onto a small plane and flew to Port au Prince. We travelled to a hospital on the outskirts of the city and went right to work. For the next 4 days we worked 20 hour shifts and struggled to find time to sleep or eat. The need was so great and the experience was so incredible. We returned dirty and exhausted, but grateful for our time there.

I am sure now, more than ever that this is the kind of work that I want to do.

Arriving in Haiti

Holding an MRE that the cute French team gave us...the French MREs were so much better!

Meg using her mad French skills

Meg getting ready to deliver...5 hrs later. Notice her makeshift cover. That is right friends, they are disposable pants.

This is a baby we delivered

This was one of my favorite patients. She ended needing a c/section, but we were able to bond while she was in labor. She delivered a healthy baby girl.

There were so many supplies. It was amazing to see all the donations lining the hallways.

This photo doesn't begin to show the exhaustion.

This is the triage area. Before arriving, this courtyard was used as an OR

AMY!!

2010-01-11T22:35:00.000-08:00

This week was so incredibly fun. Amy, one of my best friends from college came out to visit me in the Virgin Islands. That's right, fools. She escaped the terrible winter weather to enjoy the sun. How smart is she?

While she was here, we enjoyed:

The islands...

the sun,

the adventure,

the ride,

the views...

and the Ting.

(a view from my balcony at sunrise)

Utah

2009-12-13T13:26:00.000-08:00

Right now I am sitting on a tropical island watching the sunset on the ocean. It is beautiful in St Thomas. I am glad to be back. Before moving back to St Thomas, I spent a week in Utah with my sister and her family. It was a good, good, good, good time.

Leena and I took the girls to the capital building

There was running around

And looking around.

Sliding

and sledding.

Building twin snowmen

And saying goodbye to our snowmen.

We also decorated the Christmas tree.

We took a walk in City Creek

David and Leena played music

And David and the girls played video games :)

As expected, David had taught the girls some great new jokes.

"I don't have eyes. I have olives, with red, fiery pimentos.

Photos of St Thomas to come...

If you want to check out my new place go to:

http://www.hangyourhammock.com/index.php?option=com_ezrealty&task=detail&id=50&Itemid=33

Two Angels

2009-11-24T21:01:00.000-08:00

I love my life.

I spent the last three weeks with my parents, this week with my sister, and I will spend the next 13 weeks in St Thomas.

Being in Utah is so fun. Besides being able to hang out with my sister and my awesome brother in law, I am able to be with two of my sweet angels.

Here is an adorable video of them waiting for David to come home.

Some photos:

All about...John?

2009-11-16T07:22:00.001-08:00

Now I know that normally this blog is all about me; photos of me, comments to me, my thoughts, and a recap of my experiences. But I feel the need to make this blog all about John. Don't feel betrayed, because it is not about me. Recognize that I am doing this because...well, I love John. Here are 2 videos of John that I think are well worth your time.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart

Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c

Baracknophobia - Obey

www.thedailyshow.com

Daily Show
Full Episodes

Political Humor

Health Care Crisis

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart

Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c

For Fox Sake!

www.thedailyshow.com

Daily Show
Full Episodes

Political Humor

Health Care Crisis

Wild News

2009-11-06T14:25:00.000-08:00

My brother and his family made the New York Entertainment news:

http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2009/10/the_wild_things_ride_the_bosto.html

They are seriously so awesome!

Mik, Tiff, Kai, and Nea on the T, in Boston

My family

2009-11-03T20:14:00.000-08:00

For those of you who don't know, I adore my family. I think they are some of the most amazing people on earth.

Last month, we got together to celebrate our awesomeness. Here is a photographic journey of our vacation.

Shopping

Walking, throwing leaves at each other, and making whistles out of grass.

Chuck E. Cheese please

New wetsuits (modeled on the right by Leena and Timo)

We love our crazy papa

Playing games

Doing projects

Building forts and reading books

So Happy Together!

Bangladesh

2009-10-26T20:14:00.001-07:00

Hey friends. I am back on this side of the globe. I spent last week in Bangladesh in preparation to build a hospital in Chittagong. I had originally been planning to move to Bangladesh at the beginning of the year, but the trip has been postponed until mid-year. There is a lot of work to be done between now and then!

I spent most of my trip in meetings, but here are some photos of my adventures:

Arrived 36 hours, no sleep.

Showered. 48 hours no sleep for any of us...go team

Dinner after our presentation to the board. Totally rocked it!

Listening and taking notes at a government hospital

The maternity ward

The delivery room

Rickshaws were EVERYWHERE

The market

Visiting the site of the nursing school.

Locals watching the crazy whities

One of these things is not like the other.

The locals brought Grace and I coconuts. I think I am going to like it here.

Grace and I are on the way to present at a conference

Speaking at the conference

I learned where clothing comes from

Cute boys from the community

Dinner at the Khan's home

I finally found a dog I liked

A BRAC community worker

Gerry reading to one of the children

BRAC educating women about hand washing

Home delivery kits

Visiting some of the communities BRAC works in...Amazing!

A BRAC community health worker

It is a crazy country, but I can't wait!!

4:29:17

2009-10-10T20:21:00.000-07:00

Today I ran 26.2 miles in 4:29:17. My PR. I ran the Hartford Marathon with my dad and two of my brothers, Mik and Sep. While Timo, Leena, and Tiff ran the half marathon. Everyone did amazing:

Sep: 3:13
Mik: 3:36
Papa: 3:56

Tif: 1:49
Timo: 1:56
Leena: 1:58

Even though I can't walk right now, it was an amazing day!

Right at the end

Finishing the Marathon

I attribute being able to finish to these hills, these runs and these views on St Thomas and St John.

Jared!

2009-09-27T08:46:00.001-07:00

This is Jared and me. Jared is one of those really good friends, who is always there. He is a favorite of mine. As you can imagine, I was so excited when he told me that he was coming to visit. Here are some of the things that were so fun about his trip...

1. Talking late into the night, just about life.

2. Reading aloud the book Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa puffs, and doubling over laughing.

"Your best friend is taking a nap on the floor of your living room. Suddenly, you are faced with a bizarre existential problem: This friend is going to die unless you kick them (as hard as you can) in the rib cage. If you don’t kick them while they slumber, they will never wake up. However, you can never explain this to your friend; if you later inform them that you did this to save their life, they will also die from that. So you have to kick a sleeping friend in the ribs, and you can’t tell them why. Since you cannot tell your friend the truth, what excuse will you fabricate to explain this (seemingly inexplicable) attack?"

3. The adventure. Going paddle boarding. Laying in the sun on Peterborg, while Jared found small pools to hang out in, hiking on St. John, and fishing for tarantulas.

4. Feeding the wild donkeys on St. John

5. Quoting Arrested Development, Wait, wait, don't tell me and awesome movies.

Seriously, so fun. Thanks Jared!

Time with Patrick

2009-09-26T00:12:00.001-07:00

Although too much time has past, I need to update you on my time here with Patrick. Patrick was kind enough to send my photos of his trip here. Although, I still feel like we failed in providing photographic proof of the awesomeness of our time. Tragically, I did work many of the days Patrick was here. Even so, I am going to try to attempt to visually recreate the adventure.

Snorkeling:

Beach time and tropical storm time:

St John:

Kirsti making car noises while driving:

Next up...Jared!

IOU Photos

2009-09-25T23:44:00.001-07:00

I love living in the Virgin Islands. I wake up everyday feeling like I should pinch myself (although generally I don't). I live in paradise; the water is turquoise blue, the sun shines nearly everyday, and the islands are stunning. But for me, it is more the friends I have, and the life I've made here that makes it paradise.

It is difficult to believe that my 3 months have past and it is now time to leave. Even though I am excited to see my family, I am torn up about leaving a place that I have just made my home. So I have decided that in the next week I am going to take all the photos that I should have been taking all along. I am going to attempt to show you what is so amazing about my life here...as if you couldn't guess.

Visitors!!

2009-08-31T11:07:00.000-07:00

The invitation was sent out and the call was answered.

I've had the craziest few weeks. I've been busy with work, preparing for my new job, and visitors!

I've loved having friends come and see me.

On August 11th, my friend Patrick Nelson came out to visit me. Unfortunately, I worked most of the days that he was here, so he was forced to fend for himself. When I wasn't working, we snorkeled, went to St John, hung out on the beach, and relaxed. We were horrible at taking photos while he was here, but we had a good time nonetheless.

Patrick on the beach

On August 27th, my brother Seppo and my friend Cyrus came out to visit me. I was a little worried because Cyrus and Seppo did't know each other. Fortunately, it was nothing but late night chats and pillow fights.

Here is a summary of our weekend:

Thursday:

We relaxed, snorkeled, made pizza, and night snorkeled. Fun but pictureless

Friday:

We spend the morning with my friend Brad at Magen's bay. We paddle boarded, jousted, played "knock each other into the water", and spend an hour paddling into the wind and current, to get back to shore. The adventure at Magens was followed by shakes at "Udder Delight," and a tour of Peterborg.

Magen's Bay

Getting ready to leave Magen's

Udder delight

Udder joy

Brad teaching us how to fish for tarantulas

Seppo and Cyrus listening intently

Exploring Peterborg

From the end of Peterborg

Dead crab

Brad, me, and Cyrus at the end of Peterborg

Feeding the iguanas behind my house

Cyrus being an iguana behind my house

Saturday:

Seppo and I went for a 14 mile run. It was exhausting, but overall a pretty good run. The hills, heat, and humidity were a killer, but I felt tough. The afternoon was filled with napping and tennis.

We decided that evening to go camping. My friend Brad had suggested kayaking out to Mango island, an uninhabited island about an hour of kayaking away. We were only able to commandeer 2 kayaks. One 2-man, and one 1-man. No problem...except Seppo had a friend fly in from St Martin.

Against good advice, with 2 hours of day light we piled into the kayaks and made our way to mango island. We made it safely, but only after one of the kayaks capsized 3 times, soaking all of our stuff. Including the matches. (we failed to compeletly seal our "dry bags.")

We made it across as the sun set, and set up camp on the beach. With no matches, and most of our things soaking wet, Seppo and Cyrus set out to make a fire...with sticks. They failed. We had cold veggie dogs, snacks, and water for dinner and turned in for an early night. We had no tent and no sleeping bags. No big deal...until it started to rain. Cyrus and I stayed out in the rain, hoping it would end soon, while Seppo and Celine crouched underneath a small ratted tarp that had been set up there. Wet, I finally ran for cover. Soaked, Cyrus waited it out. The 20 min burst of rain, meant the remainder of the night was freezing, but we all slept a little...except Cyrus.

Sunset (attack of the islands)

Lunch before leaving. Celine was laughing the whole trip...it was awesome

Cyrus set up his hammock, but ended up sleeping on the beach...in the rain

Camp

The attempt at a fire

Cyrus and me on Mango Island, at sunset.

Sunrise on Mango

Sunday:

We kayaked back in the morning. Celine and Seppo left for St John and Cyrus and I went to church. After church, we met up with Seppo and Celine for a drive around St John and a walk around the old plantations.

On the car ferry to St John

The plantation graveyard, Cyrus and I are deciding whose is whose.

Work it

Seppo and me at an old plantation

The trip was a success!
Next week...Jared Mooney :)

The Cliffnotes

2009-07-29T13:23:00.000-07:00

The Cliff Notes Version of Life in the Virgin Islands

I believe that life cannot get much better than this. The only thing that I am missing is friends and family. Fortunately, I am meeting new people all the time and finding ways to enjoy, just living. Aside from work, my life has been busy with snorkeling, diving, running, reading, and online scrap booking (it is way cooler than it sounds). I am meeting people all the time, and have become good friends with a few of the girls I work with. I am stoked I have 2 more months here!!

Home

My apartment from the front

My apartment from the back

On the lawn, behind my apartment is where the iguanas like to lay out. Today, I decided to go out and feed them the lettuce I had that was too gross for me to eat....they, on the other hand, loved it.

There are also lots of these touch sensitive plants here. I love touch sensitive plants!

Work

The labor rooms are tiny

The hall, with the nurses station on the right

Adventures

One of my adventures, I went with my friend Annie to St John, a 15 min ferry ride away. We hiked to an old house and yes, lay on the beach.

My friend Chris and I took a trip to Coral World on $2 local day. Fun to be a local.

There are several sea turtles around here, and I've seen them a couple of times while snorkeling, but it was cool to learn a little more about them

I have yet to see a seahorse while diving, but I am keeping my fingers crossed

I finally attained my goal of seeing a shark, in the water...now if I could only see one in the wild. Nurse sharks are apparently common around here.

Chris thought that this fish was very cute, I don't think the fish was as interested in him.

Yummy starfish!

Happy 4th

2009-07-05T17:29:00.000-07:00

What does the 4th of July look like in the Virgin Islands? I was curious, so I kept my camera near by all day...in my locker, at work.

When I got home from work, I was able to see the fireworks over on St John from the beach at my apartment.

Not actually fireworks in the VI

Truth be told the , the fireworks were a bit underwhelming. I got a bit bored with my camera.

I think this one looks like a smiley face

This is my favorite picture of the Virgin Islands on the 4th

...Wait this is what the Virgin Islands look like everyday

And this is what I look like every day

Smiling on the beach

With a 'tude, not on the beach

Don't you want to come and see this stuff?

The last week

2009-06-24T13:16:00.000-07:00

Last week I started a new adventure. First I stopped in Utah. While there, I was a driver for Leena's relay Franklin Covey work team, in a 180 mile relay race.

Check out the decor

Good job guys!

Leena running up the hardest part of the race

Check out those hotties

On Sunday morning I continued my adventure to the US Virgin Islands. I am here working as a nurse for 13 weeks. It is crazy. My apartment is great; I am steps away from the beach.... and FYI I have a king size bed, a futon, and a hide-away bed...so there is plenty of room for visitors. I started work on Monday morning, so my adventures have been limited to settling in and hospital orientation.

Photos of my apartment

The view from my balcony at sunrise

Keep checking in...there will be more to come!

Nothing to do?

2009-06-18T11:35:00.001-07:00

What do you do when there is nothing really to do? I've been plagued with this question for years. I think I may have found a solution. The internet. I am learning well that the internet can provide hours of entertainment.

www.engrish.com

www.awkwardfamilyphotos.com

Rock Star

2009-06-18T11:27:00.000-07:00

For those of you who don't know, I have a rock star in my family. He is married to my sister, and he is awesome. Yesterday, Salt Lake City's NPR station hosted my rock star brother-in-law and my rock'n sister on Radio West.

Leena and Dave singing in Glinting Gems in 2006

If you want to here some good local music from Salt Lake City, listen to the podcast. It is well worth your time!

http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/kuer/news/news.newsmain/article/0/0/1518751/news/61709.Red.Bennies

A JOB

2009-06-11T16:18:00.000-07:00

Since returning from Guatemala, I have been stressed about finding a job. Life was feeling a bit directionless and I had no clue what my next steps were. So I looooked and looooked for a job, but there were no jobs anywhere. This morning when I woke up, I expected to find the same disappointment that I found in my job search every other day. Little did I know that by 4 pm, I would have three traveling nurse offers

1. San Antonio, TX
2. BFE, AZ
3. St. Thomas, Virgin Islands

Take a wild guess where I am spending the next 13 weeks ;)

You Found Me!

2009-06-07T16:33:00.000-07:00

I love finding people. Or when they find me. Back in March of this year Alana, my BFF senior year of high school found me. This week, while I was in the bay area we got together to do normal Alana, Kirsti things. Like hanging out at the beach, eating pizza and getting the best slurpees EVER!

PIZZA

Best slurpees ever!

This photo really summarizes my emotions

To The Top

2009-06-04T14:23:00.000-07:00

It has been years since I have been climbing...but I was not going to wimp out when my brother, Timo suggested going climbing last Monday. We drove for an hour to a spot a half-hour away (we had poor directions), put on our harnesses and scaled the rock. It took me three tries to get to the "top." But I did it.

You don't have to believe I actually climbed up, but believe I put on the harness.

Timo one upped me by attaching the rope

Look at what I did!

Timo at the bottom

Timo on his way to the top

Oh boy that was fun!

Girls and Mountains

2009-05-20T19:34:00.000-07:00

Utah has been great. I've been spending every second during the day with my adorable nieces, and every moment in the evening with Micheal Scofield as he runs from the law, you know...PB (Prison Break.)

Some of my adventures with my sister and her family, 'round town include the park, and David's Time to Talk T'ween Tunes concert at a local coffee shop, and the Cultural Arts Festival, at library square.

At the Park

Watching intently as Dave plays

The girls at bedtime

The Cultural Arts Festival

Surprisingly, today I ventured outside of my normal routine of going to the park in the morning and watching Prison Break in the afternoon, and headed for the mountains. I hiked the Pipeline at Millcreek canyon. with Solie, Sasha and Jean (Sasha's friend). It was a great change of pace, I love the mountains.

Salt Lake is so beautiful!

Road Trip

2009-05-10T19:30:00.000-07:00

For the last few weeks I have been contemplating what to do with my life. I have made little progress considering everything from moving in with my parents until something comes along, to picking up and going to Bangladesh for the summer. So, when Sasha needed someone to drive with to Utah, I was open for the adventure.

First things first, we dolled up our feet and THEN hit road.

Cute!

Solie and Sasha. Solie FREAKED out and tried to climb in the front if Sasha ran over the "wakie-wakie grids" on the side road.

Me in the hotel...ready to go

A cotton CANDY cloud

UTAH!

Another successful adventure.

Home again

2009-05-01T06:16:00.000-07:00

My sweet nephew made this welcome home sign for me

Well I made it home. It was so wonderful to see most of my family...although I wish that they could have all been there. We were missing this one...

Seppo

Of course, it was so fun to see my nieces and nephew

4 of my little angels

Here are some photos of my trip home.

Someone got a new car

Papa and Aila

Timo and Sofi

Sofia Annuka

Helena Satu

Unfortunately, I am still faced with the question "what next?" For the first time in my life, I have no idea what next month will bring. I don't even know where I'll be living. I am TOTALLY open for suggestions from Alaska to South Dakota (well maybe not South Dakota).

Ultimate Semana in Guatemala

2009-04-27T10:53:00.000-07:00

I can't believe that my time in Guatemala has come and go, and now I am back home. It all feels like a dream. A really wonderful dream. The last week was just as amazing as the previous 12.

Karaoke. Sasha and I had gone to this club a few times. Thursday nights is Karaoke. I thought it would be fun to sing, I mentioned that to Sasha and she encouraged me to get up and sing. If I chose a song everyone knew people would sing a long.

From this experience, I learned that
1. When I am nervous I sing high and my voice cracks
2. Not many Latinos know the song Bridge Over Troubled Water
3. As Sasha told me later "that song was not a very good song to sing to."

Dinner at the school

SCUBA diving. I certified while in Panama, and I wanted to dive one more time before I came back. So I made the trek to Lago Atitlan and dove in a high altitude volcanic lake. The site we dove at was named Agua Caliente (hot water). It is a deceptive name. I was hoping that the water would be warm...it wasn't, just the mud at the bottom. I could have left my hands in the mud all day.

Pedicures! Happy Birthday Sasha!

Now to figure out my next adventure...

Love in Guatemala

2009-04-21T07:28:00.000-07:00

Sasha left this morning to go back to the states. I cant believe that my trip is almost over. I left wondering why I am heading home so soon. All of a sudden I dont feel ready to face the reality that I am homeless, jobless, and have no solid plans for the future. I would rather be in my pretend life in Guatemala going to school five hours a day, using my dictionary to read the newspaper, and crowding onto a chicken bus in order to go for an adventure for the weekend.

The difficulty of leaving is amplified by the realization that I have fallen in love with Guatemala. I think it may be one of the most wonderful places in the world. I cant wait to come back here...next year ;)

(Since I dont have a way to upload pictures (because sasha left with her connecter) Here is a glimpse into what I am seeing and listening to.

This song is playing in the internet cafe:

And when I look out the door of the internet cafe, I see something like this:

I hope I see all of you soon!

Holy Week and Not So Holy Weekend

2009-04-15T14:37:00.000-07:00

(continued from last post)

Holy week in Antigua was amazing. We were fortunate to be there Wed, Thurs, and Good Friday. The streets were packed with tourists, processions, and alfombras (carpets) made from ...everything (colored saw dust, flowers, plants, eggs, corn husk dolls...there was even one that had a turtle in it.)

Mom and me in front of an alfombra

My dad waiting patiently while we shopped

Look how cute we are

Look how cute they are

Men carrying painting of saints

Roman Soldiers

Colored saw dust for the carpet

I was impressed

And so was Emily

Look, a turtle and chips

It is made from saw dust, if you can believe it

Jesus with silver lips

An alfombra with astramaria, my favorite flower

The Good Friday procession (yes that is a volcano in the back ground)

Sadly my parents had to leave on Friday. So, Emily and I decided to meet Sasha and Rudy at the beach (we didn´t have any other options because the country shuts down on Good Friday).

Although, the beach felt a little bit like spring break 1999, I had a good time riding horses and visiting the tortuga sanctuary.

Emily and Pollo

Kirsti and Pepe

Looking at aligators

Horseback riding on the beach

The car broke down. Rudy fixed with a paper clip. Emily felt very strongly about this
(sorry Emily, I had to post this photo)

Back in Xela the following day, Emily had a little easter surprise for Sasha and me.

Seriously, yum!

Yum

On Sunday we were watched a reenactment of the crucifixion and resurrection. It was definately interesting. At the end there was confetti and a rock band.

We went to the nearby graveyard you know, for a visit.

Sasha, Emily, and Me

Thanks for coming Mom, Dad, Timo and Emily!!

My family and Semana Santa

2009-04-14T17:41:00.001-07:00

I am such a lucky person. This last week was my little brothers spring break, so my parents decided to take a trip down to Guatemala to visit their crazy, but incredibly awesome (not to mention beautiful) daughter.

Pictured here with, what will soon be, one lucky man

Originally, I was a little worried. I wanted to make sure everything went well and that my parents and little brother had a good time. Inspite of all my stress, I think they enjoyed seeing Guatemala.

Let me give you a glimpse into my last week...

For the first day we did nothing but sleep and relax, on an island where there was nothing to do but sleep and relax

Unfortunately, we could not maintain this level of relaxation. Timo, especially was dying to go somewhere. We decided to make a trip to the neighboring city of Monterrico, against the advice of the hotel manager. We arrived on the mainland, only to discover that the next bus wasn´t coming for another two hours. So of course, in true Rinne fashion, so we hitched a ride in the back of a truck, to a city where we could catch a bus.

From the neighboring city we caught a bus to Monterrico, after an hour on the bus we found ourselved on a boat, with a bus.

It took us 5 hours to get there, so we only had time for dinner (thank goodness, the food at the hotel was getting old). When we finished dinner at 5, we learned that all the buses had left for the day. Our boat captain fortunately had a ¨taxi¨ as well. So we crawled in the back and rode 2 hours back where we had started.

When we arrived back at our hotel, we found my friend Emily on our porch, we had invited her to join our adventures.

Our final day on the island we boogie boarded. How awesome is it that my parents were out there boogie boarding with Timo and me?

...Seriously awesome

The following day we took a chicken bus (or a bird bus) to Antigua.

Antigua was an amazing experience, because it was holy week. There were processions and cotton candy!

The internet cafe is closing, so I am afraid I have to leave you at the edge of your seats. You´ll have to wait to find out what I did the rest of the week....

¿What is there to do in Quetzaltenango?

2009-03-30T19:18:00.000-07:00

I have been in Quetzaltenango (Xela) for over a week and had some pretty crazy adventures. What is there to do in Xela you may ask. It is a mighty good question. I´ll give you a glimps into life over the last week.

We eat dinner with our family. They are so awesome!!

I go to school every day. Always a good experience, except if you are not loving your teacher. Then it is a fine experience, but not a wonderful experience.

I got a new teacher this week.

I study. Everyday Sasha and I head to some cafe and utilize their table for hours, paying only $0.75 for a coke...and one time $2.00 for the best cake ever!! (notice, this is Sasha studying, not me...but I study too)

We go to McDonalds, because why not??

We´ve gone to a local bakery run by menanites. It is only open Tuesdays and Fridays, and it is AWESOME!!

This week we went to the hot springs. They were awesome. But a bit hot. Check out the guys face behind me. Sasha had perfect timing.

We participated in turn off your lights hour with our family, and played Scrabble in Spanish by candle light. I was a dream come true!!

I have also gone to yoga, the coolest cafe ever, been attacked for my purse, been to the local market where I had my wallet stolen with my ATM card (yes boston roommates, I am ready to laugh about it now), and gone to a movie.

I am stoked for next week.

A Tribute

2009-03-24T13:56:00.000-07:00

After a long bumpy and grumpy ride, Sasha and I finally made it to Quetzaltenango (Xela). We are planning to stay here and study for four more weeks. The city is beautiful, quaint, lacks too many tourist and has great character. The family we are staying with could not be more perfect.

Being here is fantastic, but I´ve had a bit of a harsh introduction to Xela. When I left the states in January, I had hoped the weather here would be warm. I had hoped that one shirt a day would be sufficient...instead of 5. In San Andres, the temperature was perfect (for me), but I am afraid for the next four weeks I will be wearing my leggings and smartwool socks every day.

Now that I have embarked on a new adventure, I´d like to make a tribute to San Andres, and all the things I will miss (In no particular order).

Games after dinner

Tuk Tuks

Snacks from the nearby tienda

Choco Bananas for $0.15

The neighborhood kids

Génesis

The wildlife

The random festivities (Hi sasha)

The crazy bus rides (Hello, again Sasha)

The beautiful family we stayed with (not all pictured here)

Amazing

Semuc Champey 2

2009-03-20T17:46:00.000-07:00

This week on our way to Xela for more school, Sasha and I took a detour to Semuc Champey. I had gone three weeks earlier with Todd and had such a good weekend. Since Sasha wanted to see it as well, I was up for round two.

At Semuc we mostly studied. On the first day we took a 3 hour cave which required quite a bit of swimming. It was beautiful, but freezing cold. By the time I got out, I couldnt feel my hands.

On the second day we continued our habit of studying, but we decided to spice it up a bit and study by the pools.

Studying

Sasha

Little fish eating my feet

Swimming in the pools

Worth all 670 Pennies

2009-03-20T17:37:00.000-07:00

This whole trip I have missed my fuzzy blanket. On Tuesday I found a new one.

El Mirador

2009-03-16T10:04:00.000-07:00

Sasha and I had the most amazing week! We spent 5 days hiking in the jungle to a largly undiscovered Mayan city. It was Sasha, our guide, Adonis, his son, Alan and another guy...I can´t remember his name.

I was a little nervous when the trip started out. We started at 3 am down the bumpy road to Carmelita, the last town before the road ends and the hiking begins. I had been really sick the days before and still had lingering nausea, which made for a fun ride. The truck we road in, would have never passed inspections in any state in the US. It was awesome, except the door clicked opened while we were driving, while sasha was leaning against it. Thankfully it didn´t open all the way.

Finally we reached Carmelita, and we were served breakfast. It was NASTINCA! Sasha swallowed hers down, but I gagged with every bite. I don´t know what it was, but there was no way in hell I was going to finish it, especially with my stomach. I claimed the ¨I´m not hungry¨ card and ate a whole bunch of Werthers candies to rid the taste from my mouth...mmmm werthers

Carmelita

Adonis explaining some of the plants

After hours of walking, we arrived at Tintal, a city close to El Mirador. We relaxed, studied, and slept. That evening we hiking the highest temple to watch the sunset and the moon rise. It was beautiful!

Sasha and Adonis climbing the temple

The view from the top of the next largest temple

Alan looking up a word in Spanish for us

Sasha at sunset

The moon

Look how awesome my hair is

A group of new friends

The following morning we woke early and headed to Tikal, after serveral hours of hiking we arrived at the boarder of El Mirador. There we explored a Mayan prison.

Sasha practicing juggling in front of a Mayan prison

Snake skin

Taking a break

Alan taking Sasha to prison

Peek-a-boo

I always wanted to be an archeologist

We arrived at El Mirador. The first day all we wanted to do was relax. So we read our dictionaries, played flash cards, and watched the spider monkeys above us.

That was later our bath water

Sasha´s new favorite book...the Spanish dictionary

The following day we spent exploring the ruins. It was amazing to be in the middle of all of it.

On top of Templo mono

We didnt see the monos there, but we did listen to Toucans
(the toucans sound like frogs, and if you listen really hard you can hear howler monkeys in the background...right before Sasha laughs)

Climbing down from Temple Mono

Climbing up Templo Danta

Alan explaining this face to us

Sasha and Adonis standing at the end of a Mayan Clock

I am not sure what it is, but I know it´s cool

Mayan pottery

My guide and I were both thinking ¨Damn that is high¨

Standing in front of Templo Danta

A mayan house--Suckers didnt have a bathroom

Alan showing us a recently discovery...Laynie, dont tell your dad!!

On top of Templo Tigre for the sunset

A recent discovery

This monkey had the right idea

We did not have the right idea...really all those stairs??

That night we watched the sunset from the top of Templo Tigre.

Sasha talking to a new friend

Alan and co. playing ¨damas¨ (Checkers)

Sasha and the sunset

Sasha and me

The sun is only this big in Guatemala

You know, just haging out on top of Mayan temple

The hike back was beautiful and full of studying. The trip was well worth it!

Sasha looking up another word in Spanish

This is what our hike looked like

Studying and hiking at the same time, that is what I call talent

Carmelita!

The trip home was an adventure of its own. Not only did we have to travel down a bumpy road for three hours, we also ran out of gas in the middle of the blazing heat. Alan was a good sport and walked to the next town.

What a trip!!

The End!

Feliz Cumpleaños

2009-03-10T10:16:00.000-07:00

I love my birthday, it is one of my favorite days of the year, it is a fun reason to just have a good day. The 8th was an espcially fun day for me. I am so lucky to have a best friend here with me on my trip. Sasha is truely amazing, and made the day especially nice.

The day started at 6am, with a birthday wake up song. I´ve heard the music for other people at 4am and am grateful that Sasha, Dalia, and Génisis thought it best I sleep in. (see Sasha´s blog for a video)

I got my first phone call on Sashas cell phone from my mom

I found a coke waiting for me when I got back from church

Following church I took an hour siesta, and when I woke up I couldn´t find Sasha, Génesis, or Todd. One by one they trickled back and we started playing all sorts of fun games. I wonder what they were doing while I was sleeping...

The day was finished with CAKE

Thanks so much Sasha! I sure love you!

My body also had a great surprise for me, on monday. It was a day of no school, staying in bed, and writhing in pain...thanks self. We had to delay our trip as a result, but I am happy to report that we are leaving tomorrow.

Thanks Sasha for being willing to carry me ;)

Also thanks so much for all your loving emails, they made my day!

The Finca

2009-03-06T11:16:00.000-08:00

On Friday Sasha and I went to a hostel a few hours away for a break away from our hectic lives. We both felt like getting out of San Andres would give us variety to our studying.

On our way we saw probaby 20 armed police officers near the police station...normally there is 1. The police had confiscated a truck full of marajuana and arrested a man that was poaching toucans to sell stuffed on the black market. We were told later that he was going to spend 10 years in prison

El Mirador

2009-03-05T13:33:00.000-08:00

On Monday Sasha and I are heading into the jungle for a week long adventure. We are hiking to the ruins at El Mirador. Coincidently, they are the ruins where my friend´s dad is an archeologist. I am excited for the adventure...although a little nervous about how I am going to smell when I get back.

Semuc Champey

2009-03-02T13:44:00.000-08:00

This weekend, I took a break from San Andres. Sasha wasn´t keen on spending a lot of time in a car, so she opted not to go. Instead, I went with my friend from school, Todd. Had I known that out of 40 hours, half were spent in the car, I don´t know that I would have been keen on it either. I had heard the ride was 12, not 20...a little different.

The ride there was traumatizing. Tons of curves, hills, and bumps. Some of the locals were laughing at me as I braced for the turns and bumps at the end of the trip.

Although the ride wasn´t fun, it was beautiful. Gee wiz, I hated that road

Although I didn´t love the ride, the destination was amazing. Semuc Champey is a natural land bridge with bright blue-green pools on the bridge. Compredes?

We hiked up to a view of the pools. This is a photo of the hike. We read that it was going to take us 1h15min. It was hard, but it only took us 12 minutes.

The view from the lookout

Where the water rushes underground

The pools

Where the river comes out.

The pools were beautiful. Todd and I arrived early in the morning before anyone else was there. We explored the area and swam in the crystal clear water. It was breathtaking.

After exploring the pools we took a tour of a nearby cave. I didn´t bring my camera because it is not waterproof, and we had to swim through the majority of the cave. In the cave we didn´t have headlamps...just candles. Swimming through a pitch black cave with only a candle was definitely an experience.

The tour was amazing, and even more fun because it was just the three of us. He helped us with our Spanish and we helped him with his English...

I love it here!

Family Night

2009-02-27T15:34:00.000-08:00

Sunday night was family night. The sweet family we are staying with, invited us to join them. At the end we sung primary songs and danced. Ronoldo (the little boy) was adorable. I just wanted to squeeze him. Too bad I had to bribe him with candy in order to get him to come over to me.

Just to warn you it is freaking long...but we do look adorable trying to sing head-shoulders-knees-and toes.

ARCAS

2009-02-27T14:04:00.000-08:00

This week the other students and I went to an animal refuge for animals that are injured or illegally domesticated. It was so fun!! It was like the Disney Wildlife (see the sign) Ernesto, our school administrator, took us on the grand tour and taught us about the flora and fauna.

This tree is the Black Chechen. Its sap if wet, will give a person 2nd degree burns and blind them if it gets in their eyes. The tree is drained of its sap and its wood is used to make crafts. Always close to the Black Chechen is its antidote (I don`t remember the name). If anyone is unfortunate to get burned the sap from the tree nearby (seen here) will sooth the burn. I don`t think it works on blindness.

These spider monkeys were domesticated from birth and cannot be returned to the wild. They seemed really happy, and put on a show for us. They loved us because we fed them bananas

Loni and Jacki

The employee let us in to see the tigrilla. The tigrilla was captured when it was young and domesticated. As a result it cannot be reintroduced into the wild :( I really wanted to take it home with me, but I knew that was the reason why it was there in the first place

We were also able to go in the cages with the macaws and other birds. The Macaws did not like us, I think they wanted our figners for dinner. Todd was sure to stay a safe distance from them.

With a macaw feather in his hat, Cush took us safely home.

2009-02-25T15:00:00.002-08:00

This is a video of Cush playing the harmonica and singing for us. He is so awesome!