The Day the Fog rolled In

Bored

Here's another tag... I might have done it before, but I saw it on Rachel's blog and liked it. My answers are sure to astound you this time!

I Thought
that I'd never email anybody more than once a day, ha!

I Am
SOOOO appreciative of the gospel, needing to having the SPIRIT with me, in awe of the atonement, grateful for Joseph Smith and Pres. Monson, and loving the scriptures and Ensign.

I Want
To start running and hiking again, as soon as my eyes stop drooping with sleepiness, and my feet stop pounding from standing all day. I have faith, it'll happen someday!

I Wish
you were here.

I Hate
war, still hate that one. I also hate the feeling that people don't like me :(

I Fear
That of my Filipino/Indonesian buddies have (not so secret) crushes on me! Why can't it be someone who speaks my language? Cultural differences are huge when it comes to liking someone. uggh

I Hear
Birds chirping as I hike the hill to work. Ahhh how did I ever live in a city?

I Search
for peace and contentment. I come pretty close while jogging around the Sylvan Lake, and of course while in the temple. How am I going to make it living 6 hours away from Heavenly Father's house? Don't take it for granted all of you who live a few minutes, or one tiny hour away!

I Wonder
if I'll ever be able to stay in one place? So far the answer is no. Maybe if I find that one and only? Somehow he'll love the wanderlust right out of me... Or he'll just wander the world with me... hm I like that idea a whole lot better!

I Regret
Being negative, and criticizing Emily. I love you little sis, SORRY!!!!!!!! Really I am.

I Love
people: meeting new people, finding old people (long lost friends), hanging with people, getting my car washed by said people, road trip buddy people, talking on the phone to people... I LOVE MY PEOPLE!

I Ache
I can't think of anything I really ache for, except for a swearing free workplace!!!

I Always
try to find the meaning to my life. Not why am I here, but what should I be doing with my life right now? I always wonder if I should be doing more.

I Usually
eat weird food, but not so much anymore since employee meals are prepared by cooks who usually make "normal" food. I can't believe I've eaten this much meat!!!! I've probably eaten the same amount of meat in two 1/2 weeks, that I usually do in a year. I even ate some steak and didn't die, like I once supposed!

I Am Not
Vegetarian. I promise.

I Dance
in my mind all the time. Anyone want to waltz in real life?

I Sing
also in my head all the time. Lately I sing in church but that's about it. I wonder if the branch has a choir?

I Never
thought I'd make it to Martin's Cove. Chance of a lifetime, and I just happened to pass it on my way to my job.

I KNOW
That the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the only true church upon the earth, that Joseph Smith was a true prophet and that Thomas S. Monson is called of God to lead us today. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God, that temples ordinances will help us gain salvation, and that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are aware of each of us, loving and caring for us--- even in our darkest days.

I Rarely
dream (or at least remember them), but I did this morning! Why is it that I only remember dreams if they deal with guys??? Rude.

I Cry
during movies (hardly ever without their aid). Has anyone seen "Miss Rose White," or "Brian's Song (The new one only)"? They are my crying movies, and I can cry any time I watch one.

I Am Not Always
happy. Shocker I know.

I Lose
pretty much anything... my car in the parking lot, my glasses in the morning when I can't see to find them, my mind occasionally, and many items that somehow hide themselves in my 5 by 5 (I haven't really measured) dorm room. How is it possible to loose something in such a tiny space?

I'm Confused
by the sign above my head that says, I will like you as long as you have emotional baggage!" Prison, are you kidding me????

I Need
to take that neon sign off my head... besides that I really need a drink of water. Have you ever pondered the idea that it's a little strange to only drink water, juice, and milk? I feel normal other places, but not being a pop drinker has it's drawbacks when that's all that's around, and water is getting drab.

I Should
appreciate all that I have more!

I Dream
well not at night, but I daydream about owning an RV and a Kayak. Anyone know of some good deals? My real dream is that we can live a celestial life here on earth. How great would it be if everyone in world paid tithing and fast offerings? I can't wait for that day.

Thankful Thursday... I had a great childhood. Sometimes I miss it :)

You might want to turn off the playlist before watching, because this has music.

A day in the life of a resort employed Mormon...

Since I'm sure none of "my readers" have worked at many resorts, I figured I'd tell a little about what it's like.

I've come to the conclusion that Resort Life would be an interesting write for an Anthropologist. There are a few groups of people that you'll find in a typical tourist resort/hotel. The first is the international group. They come from all over the world working with their J2 visas, and feel a little upset because in their countries they are professionals, but here they do housekeeping. I think I already wrote about that issue... Then there's the "forever seasonals." People who work in one place for the summer, then go somewhere else for the winter (or they go to and from the same places), over and over until they get too old to work. One fascinating person in this category is "the Dog." He's probably about 65, and has worked/hiked every spot possible in the US. I said that I'm from Cedar, and he knew all about Zion because he had worked there when there was a great pool, and the rail road going through the park. He walks around Sylvan Lake every day, and is simply fascinating. There's also the college group who come for the summer to make money and maybe party a bit in between semesters at school. There are also the professionals, like the chef whose wife kicked him out of retirement and told him to go back to work (tongue in cheek of course). Next comes those who grew up in the area, and happen to work in a lodge. They are the ones you want to talk to for out of the way, but quality places to visit. There are also some people in between the groups, which is probably where I am. Oh yes, and there's also the Christian Ministry kids, who volunteer for a summer and hold religious classes/Sunday meetings. I kind of miss the drums/steel guitar from Yosemite.

One interesting thing of resort living, is that you live and work with the same people. There is a lot of gossip going around, and it's easy to get caught up in drama that has nothing really to do with work. I'm realizing how much I need to work on charity, and loving others. Misunderstandings can be monumental here! I'm hoping that my coworkers don't think I'm a huge snob because I don't participate in their parties. It's hard to draw the line there and know what I should do.

In some ways it's hard, because I'm out in the woods with only the lodge near by, and sometimes I feel a little shut in. There are days when issues come up at work, things don't go right, and I get home and there's some issue there as well. This is of course normal for everyone, but it's hard to leave it at work when you have to go back to eat the employee meal at your workplace :) In other ways it's great, because I am meeting people and talking about my beliefs a little bit, and it's always fun to do little things for guests that make a difference in their stay. Then there's the Wal-Mart runs, and sight seeing tours that we get to go on with our employee passes :D It is of course a beautiful area, though the weather hasn't exactly been cooperating enough for me to hike! Harney Peak here I come... as soon as there is a little sun.

Mount Rushmore Trip with My Filipino Buddies

Pictures are above(I just got into photobucket,love it)... There were others too, but this was my carload. For some reason these guys wanted a picture of me every second! I sort of felt like a celebrity, until one of the other girls said, "Why does everyone want to take her picture?" I really don't know why... I just know there's tons.

Yes I drove, and yes, we got separated from the group once! I tried to warn Paul that I get lost easily, but I was one of the few who can drive. This was a great day. And NO I don't like any of my buddies like that, they are all married, or have kids a few years younger than me! (I know what you were thinking).

1st week

My thoughts as things are slow at the lodge tonight:

I've seen some fun topics on blogs lately, so I might just try it: "Thankful Thursday," "Flashback Friday (Or Freaky Friday if anything scary happens)," "Wacky Wednesday (I have many of these days)," or I just might do some normal posts. I could even be original and put next week's post as "2nd Week!"

Well, I have definitely been reminded that life outside of the "Mormon Belt" just isn't the same. I've far exceeded my record of swear words I've heard in one day(at least in the past 6 years or so), as well as drunk people... but I've also met a lot of people who have passed my traveling job record! One guy has worked at 28 different resorts, 28! and I thought my measly 3 meant something. You ask anyone here where they've worked, and most people can tell you at least four of five places they've been.

I did Yoga today :D It's always so good for the soul, in concentration and relaxation. I wonder what the deer would think if I did it outside?

One sad thing is all of the red tape that international people deal with, just to work here. It makes me wonder why the US is so strict for them to get in legally, yet illegal immigration is so high? Maybe it's because the government is so strict? I've decided that I should live in the Philippines, because the workers here are considered rich (even though by our standards we are working for not much more than minimum wage... I don't know the actual wage yet, but housing and food is included so I have only gas and debt for expenses, no biggie). I could save for a year and be rich there! I've noticed that a lot of the international workers send money home. Hera said that her parents worked and worked to send her to college (she graduated in the hospitality industry, and was a housekeeper, now clerk here? Go figure) so she likes to be able to help them with her sibling's tuition now. My parents also work and work, and yet how often have I sent home some money??? They are good examples.

NUMBER ONE THING I'VE LEARNED: I SHOULD FIND A TRAVELING BUDDY! It's been pretty hard being one of the few non-drinking, non swearing, non dirty-talking people around... oh wait- I just found out that one of the servers is a youth minister. Very cool. What would he think if I invited him to a LDS service? What would the poor sacrament meeting speakers feel, if they knew he was there analyzing? I think it would be fun to visit the other churches around here... A few of the other workers were talking about him being religious, and they felt bad for their language when they found out. I thought, hey, don't you guys know I'm Mormon? Clean up your mouths around me too! It makes me wonder what I should do about that. I'm used to people asking, after I say that I'm from UT, "Are you Mormon?" then they just tone it down around me. Here, it seems that many have worked in UT, so maybe they just think that I just worked there? Interesting...

I can't wait for church tomorrow. I forgot how much you hunger and thirst for the spirit when it's not constantly in your environment :D Maybe this is just what I need: to be reminded what hungering feels like instead of doing things in a lackadaisical manner. Feast instead of nibble. That's my lesson!

Random question: If I ate some mushrooms that were sauteed in wine, did I break the Word of Wisdom? I'm hoping that it was all cooked out!

Last of all: I hope that my co-workers don't read this!

MORE PICTURES, YIPEE!





I heart baby buffalo. Can I take one home with me?

100th Post!!! It worked out perfectly to write this momentous post, after a momentous change in my life.

I made it alive, though a few hours late.

Here I am, sitting in the Custer Library, feeling like I've at least been here a month instead of four days... My trip to SD involved missing an exit and going 60 miles out of the way (yah, things haven't changed much), then thinking that I had missed another one, but eventually figuring it out and turning back around, then last of all I, yet again missed another exit- but there was another route to get to Custer State Park, so it was fine. Whew, it's been a little crazy!

By far the best part of the trip was going to Martin's Cove. My family had gone there for a family reunion about 6 years ago, but I was working in Massachusetts at the time so I missed out big time. I've always wanted to visit the site, because I have two families of ancestors who were with the Martin Handcart Company (they traveled on foot through blizzards, and many died), but miraculously neither family lost anyone to death. Actually being there was an amazing experience. I seriously don't think I've felt the spirit any stronger in my entire life. Because I was one of the few people there (it's off season yipee!), and I didn't have a lot of time, a sister missionary took me by four wheeler to the cove. I don't know how missionaries do it, I'd be bawling every time I tried to tell stories. We both cried a little when she talked about the rescuers etc. I am so amazed, in awe, grateful, and have a deep sense of reverence for all that transpired in that place. How thankful I am for my ancestors who courageously stayed true to their beliefs, through every difficulty imaginable. Then, without the rescuers, I would 't be here today! I want to go back for an entire day, instead of just one hour.

(Top, clockwise) 1. A Real Handcart. 2. The Sweetwater River, with a bridge so that people will never again (unless they want to) have to ford it. 3. by a statue of a rescuer who carried the saints across the Sweetwater. 4. My "Handcart!"

To Do List

During the last week at home:

I weeded the grass :D
I chopped my hair! Sometimes I just need a change, and start clipping away. It was my favorite haircut that I've given myself, but now it's shorter because Sis. Hansen fixed the lines for me.

The family attended the last choir concert at CVHS! "Foot Loose" was the theme, and I think it was the most fun concert I've ever seen.

We had our last sibling outing, which was pretty boring because Darren and Annie were sick, and I was tired. Oh well, at least we were together :)

Between all of that, I've been gathering and printing off pictures for a mother's day present. Thanks Sheri and Skot for helping with computer issues. I'll finally have all of the pictures today! PICTURES: Sorry Kristy's family & Jenna! We measured wrong, so the kid pictures were 4x6, and the adults were small, I don't know what size. (if you want to send even more updated ones, maybe it's 4x5?) They all worked out pretty well, and mom loved it :D Thanks everyone for your help.

Grandkids, in order!

3 Oldest "generation"

3 Middle

3 Youngest.

Last of all, I've been making a huge pile in the middle of my room of all the stuff I'll pack today (sorry Annie, I know you're looking forward to having a clean room and the computer all to yourself). I can't believe I'm leaving tomorrow!!!

Different World

I just read an article where the author was talking about getting married "young," and mentioned that all of her friends were still single. She got married when she was 26! I just might fit in in that world out there... but it's sad that nobody seems to want to get married anymore. I should probably mention, after all of the freaking- out- about- marriage- posts, that I think it's a better life, and I do want it... I just want it with the right guy at the right time. So, it is sad that people in the outwside world (i.e. out of the "Mormon belt") see marriage as something to be avoided, or see it as old fashioned. Sad sad sad.

I've Never Been So Excited!

I just got a call from Daniel in Custer State Park, and I have the job (photo tour)! After the longest unemployment season of my life, I finally have a job that I think I'll enjoy. Miracle of miracles I'll even be able to get Sundays off, which is near impossible in a resort area!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The story: I turned in my application to SD about a month ago (actually, I'm not sure when it was, but it seems that long), but haven't heard anything back. I even called and left messages with questions about working on Sundays, co-ed housing etc. and got no response. I figured it was a lost cause so I started looking other places. Yesterday I was looking at places on COOLWORKS.COM, and realized that I really liked South Dakota the best, and decided to call yet again to just see if they had at least received my application. Daniel, when he picked up the phone says, "Carrie Robinson? I have your application right here!" He said it must be meant to be. It was a good thing I called right then because he had some questions for me, and I of course requested Sundays off, and he said he'd call me today after he spoke withe the general manager. I though, I've heard that before (he never called me back the three times I left messages, probably because he was sick of hearing my voice), but he called today and *whamo*
I have my life back!

My thinking on getting this job, is:
1. I can't decide what to do about grad school, future in Psychology etc. and figure I might as well do something I enjoy while I try to figure it out :D

2. Working as a Front Desk Clerk is really the only option, if you're wanting to work in a place that's different from home, you like exploring new areas, you want to meet people from all over, and you like being in the know about the goings on (like knowing that Brad Pit is in the building when the rest of the world is clueless!). It's also not that difficult of a job, if you're in between decisions of school/work, or trying to figure out what to do for a "real" job/career. I'd suggest it to everyone. For some reason everyone I know is too tied to their real lives, but I'm glad I get to go on another adventure :-)

3. I'll be working near a lake! I haven't done that yet--only mountains, rivers, and the ocean. This should be fun. Plus the Bison, I have to go there for that :D

(picture from) http://villageearth.org/pages/Projects/Pine_Ridge/pineridgeblog/uploaded_images/bison_04-736408.jpg

4. There's a singles branch only an hour away. The other places I've looked have been 2 hrs from civilization, or have other issues that would make it difficult to get to church. It's a surprise that there's actually enough single people over there for a branch! Other places I've gone only have a handful of singles, so this should be fun.

5. I thought I posted this alreay but, MY LITTLE BROTHER (and cousins) WILL ONLY BE AN HOUR AWAY!!! They're going to go work at a scout camp in SD, without either of us really knowing where the camp/lodge were in relation to each other. Yeah for family :D

Now, I have one week to get everything done! Wish me luck, and feel free to come visit.

Five Graduations and a Wedding.

This last weekend was crazy-insane-full of special events. I could have walked at UVU's graduation, but didn't (thank goodness because nobody could have come), Skot let us know the week before that he was graduating from Dixie, my Aunt Diana graduated from UVU along with my friend Teresa (I used to work with her disabled son), and Ryan, Cindy's husband graduated from Snow College!

Pres. Monson was the main speaker at UVU's commencement!Pres. Ukdorf and Eyring also attended. Pres. Eyring's pic was too foggy.

Me, Teresa, and the kids. It was great to be part of the family again :)

I realized that my name was listed as a graduate, and that I graduated Cum Laude. Who knew?
Aunt Diana and her family. I think it takes a lot more gumption to return to school after many years, and she did it graduating MAGNA Cum Laude!!!

To top it all, my cousin Royal got married. We worked it out so that at least one person from the family could be at everything, which wasn't a simple feat. I got to go to Diana and Teresa's graduations, as well as the actual ceremony for Royal. The rest went to Skot and Ryan's graduations, then to Royal's reception. Apparently Annie got up at 5am and didn't stop traveling until 11 pm that night. That's dedication. Em and Darren were too busy and got to "relax" with finals etc ;) Cindy and Ryan somehow fit moving to Ogden into the weekend as well! My family may be be known as the ones who are late to everything (note, this time I think everyone was EARLY to everything! Kudos to us all.), but we are great at showing support for each other. I love you guys.





















It was very wet and rainy, which made it hard to get good pictures, but it was actually a fun wedding to go to. Thankfully it wasn't emotionally gut wrenching to attend the reception, possibly because I'm not that close in age to Royal? All in all it was great to see everybody and to be there for their special occasions. I hope the next time someone graduates, they schedule it so that it's at a different time than all other family events :D ha ha.