Learn Japanese:
Tyler (Bruf) (will be introduced in a post at a later time and date :) downloaded the Pimsleur’s lessons onto my ipod..and I am addicted already, loving every car ride, and thoroughly enjoying my heritage. Currently I'm on lesson 13 of Unit 1..with 2 more units to go. My accent is hideous...but can now understand basic conversations, invite someone to dinner, and ask for the time and am slowly learning my numbers. Eek...if I'm even one bit tired, the lessons go through one ear and out the other, and I usually have to listen to the 30 minute lessons twice or more to get it down perfect.
The reason behind it: Tyler taught himself with this program and traveled to Japan in 2002 on his own. After this little fact came out when we were first talking, I haven't been able to get it out of my head. I've been feeling like I need to do something important with myself...and what better way to expand my knowledge than learning a new language? If I get really motivated, French and Spanish will be next. Bruf went to Montreal on his mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and his French is absolutely beautiful...
Travel:
Save for my trip to Laos/Thailand in early ‘10 with Rocky, Olane, Olane's sisters,their families, & parents…hopefully to some of the surrounding countries-China, Vietnam, Burma, & Cambodia. Olane & her sisters have not been back to Laos since their sponsor family moved them here to Utah, and am so excited be able to go with them. (Fingers crossed) I have not traveled for 5 years (I know-such a long time!) and am dying to go on a trip.
My friend Marisa and her husband Ben currently live in Japan teaching English. I've talked to her briefly about it when I was in California for Christmas...and am super intrigued at the idea of living in Japan for a year. I still need to get additional info on what their contract involves and how much I could potentially be making/saving...but if I were making the same as my current job..then why not?? & another great reason why I need to learn Japanese. You can check out her fantabulous blog here... http://www.marisachan.blogspot.com/
Train:
Last summer my work-GPS Corporate Foreign Exchange (Global Positioning Solutions) put a team together to participate in the Wasatch Back Relay http://www.ragnarrelay.com/wasatchback/index.php, which starts in Logan and ends in Park City. Unfortunately I wasn't able to make it last year because I would have missed Rocky and Olane's sealing in the Montana Temple and trip to Yellowstone. Something I wouldn't have missed for anything. I also didn't train as much as I should have so I am getting pumped to get in shape for it now. I absolutely loathe running-especially long distances so hopefully my 16 or so miles that I need to work up to will get me over that. To get an idea...my co-worker Colton threw up 2 out of his 3 legs. Although he had one of the toughest routes I heard, I am praying that does not happen to me, so we'll see...
My work is amazing-we have free gym memberships to Lifetime-one of the nicest gyms I've seen. It's so close that I can run at lunch during the Winter and lay out by the pool and nap in the Summer. :) So great-No excuses for Summer that "she doesn't have time to work out." Ohh...as you can tell, Summer noticed that Facebook wants to make her talk in third person at all times... :)
