It's Not My First Rodeo

They tell us that summer is less intense. I think that's only true because we have less total classes. But we're in class longer and it feels like the workload is pretty similar. We finished our first term officially, as seen by a large project, a big exam, and a midterm of our full-summer class.

The OG Crew

I moved this week to my interim place - Val, one of my teachers & volleyball teammates, offered up her house for about a month until Brandi's lease is up and we can find a place. And her house is amazing. Mainly it's clean and I have my own room & bathroom, so I'm happy. Plus, they are delightful people that can tease each other, so we get along (as noted via family dinner tonight).

Finals Crew. 

The other cool thing I did this week was work at a rodeo. If you heard me mention 'cow tackling', you might've thought it was my first rodeo and you would've been 100% correct. My favorite events were the individual roping and all the events where you have to stay on a bucking animal. But since I was working medical, I only liked those if nobody got hurt. The good thing is, cowboys are tough. (I would know, since I now have boots and a buckle).

After Party Crew. 

Roger was in town for the rodeo and he helped me move all my stuff and also volunteered at the food center. Those guys are hilarious. And there's always new people working. I met Brian, a guy that travels to various places to help run races like Tough Mudders, etc. Since I'm in charge of GoBIG, NAU's annual race that benefits patients with Parkinson's, I got some nice tips.

Miss Rodeo Washington, our first patient here, and the owner of Seahawks chaps. 

We also hit up his nephew's baby blessing and luncheon afterwards. And almost took a nap, but there was so many people that kept talking to me because I was falling asleep that it was hard to actually do it. Good food, good humans, good times.

TJ Khalid turns 26

Brandi said it perfectly today: The weeks are boring, but the weekends are fun.

The first half of summer semester is done, which means I'll be trading out 2 classes for 1.5 new ones tomorrow. Also finishing several huge projects and taking midterms/finals.

Washington's rodeo queen met some of my PT friends at a bar and ended up bringing her Seahawks chaps to school during a break for us to try. Get ready for more on the rodeo next week (since I'm working it this weekend...)

Photo cred: Dawn. 

Water Wednesdays started for the summer - which basically means we show up, eat, swim, do a little yaking, and go home. When will I do HW, you may ask? I'll keep you posted.



Thursday we had a semi-impromptu camping trip at the Edge of the World. We showed up late after Brandi locked her keys in her car. But just in time for a sunset and dinner. Lizzy prepared tinfoil dinners that were great, the guys built a fire, and I brought the s'mores stuff (including Reese's).

After a cramped night in Brandi's car, we woke up to breakfast burritos prepared for us. I could get used to that, you know. We saw some good views, cleaned up the camp, drove back into town, and took a nap before helping out at the Food Center for a few hours with the Crusher.

How we feel about anatomy.

Saturday was a HW day. I worked on a video project for about 6 hours, but it's finally done. (And about 50s too short due to my efficiency.) Then we took some quizzes and studied and ate and studied some more. A great time was had by all.

And if that's not the freaking coolest birthday cake, idk...

Love this crew, FR though. (Even when they sneak hug me). 

TJ's 26 was Saturday night and it was mostly my favorite people from school. Also a dog, that took a chunk out of my calf. We played a few games of STUMP, which I loved. We lit the nails on fire with hand sanitizer. And partied it up.

She's Oxidizing

So many things happen and also nothing (for most of the week). And by that I mean that I sit in a classroom and go home and study four days out of the week. The rest of the week, however...

Val let us out super early on Thursday, so I made it up to Page by four. I went exploring the slot canyons and barely made it out alive because I'm scared of heights and also have zero upper body strength. I went shooting for the first time since Girl's Camp (and didn't do half bad). I hung out with Roger's coworkers at their bbq and then we caught our own fish, which I have yet to filet.



After a morning run and pancakes, I drove up to Mesquite. The chins are pretty typical still. The Potato and her Tater Tot are as cute as ever (although I am definitely not ready for my own little sprouts). We ate Mexican and got back in time to let Greg and Michaela in the house. Where everyone made fun of me for working at a rodeo.



Deek and Shan arrived late Saturday. We had a riotous time as Hutchins do. Greg and Derek are starting their own PI business in Idaho (where there are no regulations on licensure) and will manipulate all clients into a 50% finder's fee. All children who are found will spend time as "volunteers" on weekends, Christmas, and every third Thanksgiving. Half of their labor will be dedicated to helping solve crimes, the other half will be spent creating more crimes to solve. I can't wait.

Watching someone's eye pop out. Knew she'd like it.

Markies did a great job on Aurora's baby blessing and Mimi's dress fit like a dream. We had our designated baby time before the great grandma stole her away. After lunch, I headed back through Page for dinner, and to Flagstaff by bedtime.

Star of the show. 

When the FREAK did we get ice cream?!

I was dog sitting for a few days again this week, which meant my stress levels were wayyy down. (I'm a hermit by nature). It also helped that we had some guest speakers (including ya boi Jason) and the amount of time spent in lab increased by 75%. (I am not good at didactic learning).

This is where I live. 

Our activities this week were a success: Richard Simmons Night (for FHE) and S'mores at the Clark's (for Friday). Gotta love classic simplicity. (And dual purpose w/exercise or food + socializing). Another 'guest' lecturer taught EBP this week and said multiple times that our assignment was NOT to be finished in a single day. She asked if there was anyone likely to take this as a challenge and let's just say my name came up. But also my assignment was submitted within 24h so at least it was accurate.

Natural whirlpool. 

The big adventure of the week was Fossil Creek (organized by TJ, who insisted on driving with us:). It's about a 2h drive from here, a $6 permit, and a couple miles hike to the falls, but it is beautiful. The day was perfectly sunny, the water cool and refreshing and clear enough to see all the fishies you swim with. I got a little sunburned, a little scratched (from riding some shallow rapids), and had a wonderful time with good friends. 10/10 would do again.

Behind the falls. 

The rest of the weekend included a Snowflake temple trip (in which we scummed free lunch off a visiting YSA group from Mesa), a movie night of The Ringer with Brandi/Roger (in which I scummed free dinner by showing up at an opportune time), and attempted archery with the coolest nocks I've ever seen and also the strongest bow I've ever tried to use. Guess I gotta keep hitting the gym.

French Tucks and Confidence

Brandi's birthday was last week while she was up in Roosevelt with her cows, so we celebrated the day by sending her digital cake (and by that I mean booty pics). We had an actual potluck dinner when she got back and it was delicious - these kids freaking delivered.

School started up again and I hate it. I realized I am so bad at it because I have a hard time sitting there and listening, especially if I already know a lot of it and the information is getting repeated 47 different ways to account for various learning styles. Also, who can sit through eight hours of the same class all freaking day? Not I, said the Little Red Hen.

It didn't help that despite having a reserved seat, I ended up having to sit in the front corner where all the screens were at a terrible angle and I looked like a nerd and had no friends. That's what happens when I show up 1min early for class instead of 30. Don't worry though, I staked my claim the rest of the week.

We went fishing after classes and I worked out (because the gym had weird hours this week). I showed Brandi the Netflix series Queer Eye - which if you need something inspirational and motivational, this is the show for you. Love. (Thanks, Hannah.) One of my leg workouts was so good that I can still barely walk down the stairs 4 days later.

Stu had a tournament on campus here, so I watched a few of his games (which they lost, but he got to dunk a few times). And then I went to Becky's house for a cookout, homemade salsa, and three bonfires that were so big the neighbors called the cops a few times.

Brandi and I went garage sailing Saturday morning, and it was different than I remembered, but still fun. We found a bunch of fishing stuff we needed and haggled it down to $5 (but with some other shady black market deals, it will end up costing me $0, so not mad).

Sam's midget sister. Who looks great in an orange morph suit, btw. 

We had a lovely dinner at the Brewton's with the missionaries and then hit up Sam & Jake's reception. After seeing the long line, we headed to the refreshment table first (which ended up being the joke of the evening, but all in good fun.) We saw our teacher there who had been in the hospital for a bit and noted that "the rumors of [his] demise were greatly exaggerated, mostly by [his] wife". What a guy.

What kind of fancy parties do you attend on weekends?

I made some friendship bread again and it was delicious and hopefully appreciated by the people we delivered it to. Brandi and I are still doing our rescue visits, with marginal success. We almost got Alex to join us, but he had to work. Next time.