Independence Day

When I landed in Phuket on New Year's Eve with no luggage, I predicted it was going to be a very adventurous year.

And now look: how incredible is this?!


It is the 4th of July, I am surrounded by mountains and I am standing on at least five feet of snow. Awesome.



2011, you have been fantastic so far.
I cannot wait to see what other surprises you have in store.

Another Birthday Come and Gone

"Time flows like a river and it seems as if each of us is carried relentlessly along by time's current."

-Stephen Hawking

Millcreek Canyon

Jonathan Livingston

Of all the people I owe a debt of gratitude, my high school cross-country coach is perhaps the greatest. Though I think I was a bit too young to grasp them at the time, I have kept the visionary concepts he introduced me to as a young runner with me all these years. At the time, I found them fascinating, but at bit "out there" at the same time. However, now with a bit more life experience, maturity and knowledge at hand they are being making more and more sense. Especially as I continue on this spiritual journey I started nine months ago.

Looking for some reading material to accompany my cross-country camping trip before I left Wisconsin, I came across my old copy of 'Jonathan Livingston Seagull.' I was 14 when Coach Conway first had us read this book -- chapter by chapter -- before practice each day. 20 years ago. The words are still the same, and the book is still incredibly inspiring, but the message is so very different now.

"We can lift ourselves out of ignorance,

we can find ourselves as creatures of excellence and intelligence and skill.

We can be free! We can learn to fly!"

-Richard Bach, Jonathan Livingston Seagull

Great Salt Lake, Antelope Island State Park

Still Snowing

Set off to do some hiking in the mountains and was thwarted by a snow storm:

Welcome to Utah

I have arrived!

I have come here to see if I think I could live here for the three years it would take for me to get through the Master's of Architecture program at the University of Utah.

I have also come here to establish residency before I enter the Master's program because that's just good financial sense. Assuming I get into the Master's program that is. If I do not get into the architecture program, then I am here to rock climb, hike and ski, and I am perfectly okay with that.