Well, I hate to start a blog off with sad news, but some things just must be said. Last night (Sunday) my Grams lost her 3 year battle with lung cancer and passed away in her sleep at the assisted living center here in McCall. I got to visit her yesterday evening to tell her I love her and although it's been a long time coming, losing a loved one always takes a piece of the heart. She was a beautiful woman with a strong spirit and will be missed very much. Her presence will especially felt when the Thanksgiving table lacks her famous Orange Carrot Jello and at the Yacht Club during fantasy football season. May your soul finally be at peace Grams and remember, I love you as much as always. 
It makes you realize how lovely life is when lived to its fullest and on that note, I have been doing some living myself!! Not only did I recently win some tickets to a local ski resort (Thank you Angela!), I have been prepping Mom for her upcoming trip to Indonesia and doing some traveling of my own!! Two weeks ago I drove down to Idaho Falls to visit my good friends from college Nicki and Casey McDaniel. 
It was so great to see them because it's been over a year since we last got together (which in ex-sorority-sister world is just faaaaar too long). Nicki and I mostly spent the weekend gossiping about everything under the sun while husband Casey patiently put up with unrelenting chatter. What a great guy.... :) On Saturday we went to the Museum on Idaho where Nicki works to see their carousel exhibit and followed it up with lunch at a fabulous Mexican restaurant with some of their friends. Sunday was filled with a trip to the hot springs and to see the only man-made geyser in Soda Springs, which was far less spectacular than it sounds. A wonderful Zumba class followed by homemade Mac and Cheese brought the weekend to a close and Monday morning I hugged them goodbye and pointed Stella homeward. Thanks for everything you two and I'll see you in a year!!
After arriving back in McCall, I stayed for only three days, before hopping a plane to Denver (thanks again to Mom's airline miles!!!) where I met up with Patrick. By far one of my favorite yet least visited friends to date. We studied abroad in Costa Rica in 2011 together where we bonded over long buss rides and taxing communications classes. He now works at Psychiatric hospital in Denver but lives in Colorado Springs where where he and his parents were kind enough to let me invade their home for three days. Thanks Joy and Kevin!! You are the best!! :D
Colorado treated me well thanks to a magnificent tour guide and immaculate weather. The two of us packed the weekend with guitar lessons, 16th street strolling, Goodwill shopping, video game attempting, flip-cup playing, pawn store prowling, "Big Bang Theory" belly laughing, and Middle Eastern food eating. In between all that, we took a drive up to Gold Camp to view Colorado Springs from above which was, I must say, incredibly beautiful. At night the city lights form a shimmering oasis outlined by a thick black nothing that will truly take your breath away.
Saturday we walked around the Denver University campus where Patrick graduated and went to the cinema where I was introduced to my new favorite movie "Warm Bodies".....don't judge, just watch it. It is probably the most adorable movie in existence. We also went to his friends birthday party which was a blast, and spent the remainder of our time catching up on the last three years. By the time I was deposited back at the Denver airport to return to Idaho, my head was spinning with everything we had crammed into the weekend. What fun! Upon my return to McCall I was confronted with the notion that in exactly one month I will be on yet another plane, this time bound for Cambodia! Yahoo!! I am so nervous and excited at the same time I could just hurl...just kidding...kinda, but it is really begging to sink in. Also, I just wanted to tell everyone who donated to my cause, THANK YOU SOOOOO MUCH!!! It is only because of you all I was able to raise what I needed and can now make this entire trip possible. Words cannot express my gratitude. I am truly blessed with the most wonderful friends and family in the world. Gracias, Xie Xie, Danka, Merci, and thank you in every language I can think of!! I would be crippled without you. 
Now it is time to pack and prepare, oh boy! For those of you who know me well, you know that means for the next four weeks I will be compulsively taking inventory of my things, making lists, piles, and plans, obsessing over insignificant details and eventually throwing everything I own into a crumpled duffel bag in the back of the car on the way to the airport. Yup that's the way I roll when preparing for a trip...good stuff. Anywho, I hope all is well (I would always love an e-mail hearing about your news!!) and life is treating you like the kings and queens you are. ;) As ALWAYS I will end with a pic of my baby. We are all getting ready for bed and Charlie is getting impatient because I am still blogging, so goodnight everyone! I miss and love you all very much. xoxoxo
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