Shotguns are fun!

So the last post is 100% true! i just bought a shotgun! its soo cool! here is a pic of it!




Thats my new toy! pretty cool. you'd be suprised, but i'm quite safe with it. So you may be wondering why i would want a shotgun. here is a good reason!


If that doesn't do it for you, then what about this?


and finanlly, a two for one reason.




Basically, i have always liked guns and always wanted them and now i am an adult and have a house and can buy them. so there! :) just let me know when you want to go shooting!

conversation

(Ring Ring)

Travis: Hey sweetie

Kat: Hey hon, how's it going? What you up to?

Travis: I'm good, I'm looking at shot guns right now.

Kat: Oh really? What kind?

Travis: Nice. And Shiny.

Kat: Oh, cool.

Travis: In fact, I'm holding one in my hands right now, as we speak.

Kat: mmm hmm, I see.

Travis. Yeah, I feel like a man.

Kat: (laughing) I love you.

going back to cali, cali, cali

Okay so it's actually a pet peeve of mine when people call California "Cali", but it's the song, and I felt like singing it/typing it. (I know, hypocrite right?)

Anyway... I'm going HOME tomorrow. Even though we bought a house and are starting to grow some roots here in Utah, I'm going to the place where part of my heart still resides. Hollister, Santa Cruz, San Fransisco, San Jose, Monterey, Gilroy... (the garlic capital of the world).... etc. I can't wait! I'm just going with my mom (which means I'm doing all the driving...) but it's so worth it! Travis really wanted to come but he never gets off work. Poor guy. I don't think it would be as enjoyable for him though, because we're mostly going to be doing sentimental eating, and lots of trips down memory lane.

I can't wait.

turning off and tuning in

There is an Ensign article with this exact title in the August magazine, and it really got me thinking.

I'm back from Lake Powell, and there isn't any cellular service there, unless you climb the top of a mountain, told your right arm up in the air, stick your left foot out and stand still like a tree. I admit that I haven't always loved the fact that when I go somewhere I don't get cell service. I feel like I have to stay connected because if someone wants to get ahold of me and they can't, well that could be detrimental!! Upon travelling to the different countries Travis and I have been to, I've realized to cherish the fact that I'm unplugged and unavailable.

When I have my phone off, and am unable to get service, I feel like everything my eyes behold is something precious. I feel like my conversations with people are less rushed and more genuine. I pay attention better to the people around me and the environment I'm in. I really enjoy those times now, and I look forward to them.

In addition to not having cell service and turning my phone off, we have not had T.V. or internet for over a month now! When we first moved in and sat down to consider our bills and payments, etc, we were thinking about possibly getting TV and internet as a bundle. We couldn't find a deal that we liked, so I proposed an idea to Travis about not getting TV ever. I told him we should just do a trial run for a few months and see what happens; see what our lives are like. It would be nice if we could have internet for when I start school again, and also to keep up with messages from work, but I do ok without it. I use the internet at my parents' house, at UVU, and while I'm at work. Life is totally different without TV! I feel like my language and thoughts are cleaner, I am getting more things done during the day, and I'm not killing my brain cells! :) (Okay not all TV shows are bad...some are good).

Lastly, the stereo in my car is totally busted. For some reason music will play for about a minute and then it just stops. It hasn't worked for about 8 months now, and I don't really miss it. Every once in a while I want to listen to a song while I'm driving, but now I look forward to the peace and quiet I experience while driving. Plus it's much less distracting. It's my time to daydream, ponder and tune in for personal inspiration and growth. I drive about 50 minuntes to work and another 50 mins back (longer depending on traffic) so I have a lot quiet "me" time. I enjoy the silence but during that time I also make calls to catch up with people I haven't talked to in a while. For those of you I've called... you can attest that this is true! :)

Technology is great, and don't get me wrong, I take full advantage of it. :) "I love technology.... but nooooot as much as you, you see...."

I'm just saying that since I've not watched TV, listened to music while driving, turned off my cell phone and not had the internet at home, I've seen some changes in my own personal life. May not be the same for everyone! I have a really thin filter so whatever goes into my brain, sticks. That's why I get nightmares easily! I've decided that instead of trying to create a stronger filter, I'll just avoid those things all together. It's really helped. As for getting the internet? Who knows. Could be a couple months. TV? Maybe never. I don't miss it. Everyone catches me up-to-date anyway on those shows I haven't watched.

Getting off the couch and going out to do things has been very refreshing for me and exactly what I needed. I used to think that people who didn't have TV were absolutely crazy, but now I completely understand!

back in the saddle

After 10 days straight of playing, I'm back at work! But only for today and Friday. I work 8 to midnight right now, and then Friday I work from 1:30 to 6pm and since it's a holiday, I get some sweet holiday pay at work. Too bad my pay raise won't be in effect at that time! Oh well.

-Then- I'm off to Lake Powell for a week starting this Saturday! Weee!! I'm excited to get tan. :) But don't you worry, I'll wear sunscreen.

Advanced

That's what I am. NIC ADVANCED.

Yup, I passed, and went beyond the mark.

**For those of you who aren't interpreters and don't know what this means: I took the national interpreter certification (NIC) and it was a pretty hard test, and long, too! Like 3 hours! It consisted of interview questions of ethical dilemmas, and a performance section to demonstrate my skills. There are three levels; NIC (certified), Advanced, and Master.

I got the second level. ADVANCED. There's only one level in the entire nation higher than me, which is Master. I'm kind of freaking out and really elated. Is this really my life? It's incredible!!!!!!!!!!! This has been a life goal which I didn't think I'd really accomplish until well into my 30's. Who knew I'd pass at the advanced level at age 24? I have everything I've ever wanted. An awesome husband, a super sweet house, great job, and now NIC advanced certification. Next, my degree! I graduate in May!!!