Way down South by the Chattahoochee...

My brother Jordan and his wife Lina live in Atlanta. However, in 3 weeks they are moving to Houston. Jordan has wanted me to come visit for some time now so he could show me around Atlanta and let me get a little taste of the "south". Knowing that they are soon leaving Atlanta for good, I decided it was time to make the trip. They planned a plethora of activities for me to do and they were all amazing, but here are a few of the highlights.

First off was an Atlanta Braves game. We drove directly from the airport to the field. Due to my flight itinerary, we were a little late, but it didn't really matter because the game had halted due to a rain delay. Talk about rain! It was coming down in bucket loads.

They had to completely cover the infield during the rainstorm... you can see the rain runoff past third base.


If you look closely, you can see that there is a couple of inches of rain built up in the dugout.


Lina and I in our ponchos


The game didn't resume again until after 10:30. Here are a few pictures of us at the game and of Chipper Jones. I got a picture of him batting both right and left handed. Notice the one picture I actually got the ball in the photo as it connected with the bat! I was rather proud of my photography skills...









I have two friends out in Atlanta who are working on their dissertations. I got to see them both! Both friends originate back in the Campus Plaza days. Mike joined us for lunch one day at Chick-a-fila. Chick-a-fila originated in Georgia and they were all over the place.



I saw Tim multiple days. One day I went with him to Emory campus and actually studied at the library. I got to ride the train (also known as Marta) and check out the public bus system. On Saturday however, Tim took us to the Chattahoochee River to do some cliff jumping. The water was freezing and I had to get over a little fear of making that initial jump, but it was amazing!

Here is a view of the river. Tim's roommate Sam came with us too!


Lina thought it would be funny to take a picture of me trying to get the courage to jump.


I finally did it!


Jordan swam to the other side


On our hike back to the car, we did some swinging on vines... it looks like Jordan is up to no good!


Here are some other highlights:

The CNN Center




Eating at the Varsity! Yes, you better believe those are desks were are sitting in...


We visited a confederate cemetary that had the graves of tons of confederate soldiers from the Civil War. Notice the confederate flag in the background.




...and Martin Luther Kings home and grave site!




I got to do so much more than I have put here, but I've included the highlights. I had a great trip!

What every girl needs...

I recently purchased a pair of red shoes. It is always fun and exciting to buy something new to wear, but I was shocked at how excited I was as I purchased this particular pair of shoes. My excitement didn't come from the fact that they were new, it didn't come from that fact that they were a cute style, but it was that they were RED. I decided that EVERY girl needs to own at least one pair of red shoes.

The first day I wore my new red shoes, I was in Salt Lake and I noticed a little girl walking in front of me. She had a cute little blue and white spring dress on... but she ALSO had on bright, shiny red shoes. She had a skip to her step and I realized that regardless of age, owning a pair of red shoes does something for any aged girl. I'm not even sure what that "something" is exactly, but it is good...



I guess there is a little bit of Dorthy in all of us...

Team Jensen... Family Bonding Time

I had the privilege of running the Provo Half Marathon Relay this morning with my brother. Team Jensen we like to call ourselves. I love to run. However, there is something extra cool about being able to share SOMETHING I love with SOMEONE I love. Earlier this year, we both ran in the Alpine School District Administrators 5K and were both able to place first... Joe for the boys and myself for the girls. At the meeting where we were given our award, we were referenced as "Team Jensen" and it stuck.

I ran the first leg at today's race, which was just shy of 6 1/2 miles and Joe ran the second leg. Aside from trying to stay warm from the wind and snow, the race went great. Our time was just over 1 hour and 37 minutes. We placed first in the co-ed relay division and we took third overall for the relays. It was a great race. I hope we can do it again next year.

Getting ready for the race to start



Trying to stay warm as I waited for Joe to finish



Joe pushing it into the finish line



After the race...



Here is a video of the pass-off exchange. I'm in the red shorts and Joe is in all black...

I've joined the ranks...

Wow... that is one good looking bike...

So I finally broke down and joined the ranks of the road bikers. I have been a huge fan of mountain biking for years now... (thanks to my brother Joe) and have wanted to get into road biking for some time. I finally did it! I found a steal of a deal on KSL.com. I got a 2009 Trek Madone, full carbon, full ultegra components, and bladed spokes. It is virtually brand new, but I got it for about a grand cheaper than it would have cost me in the stores. It felt like Christmas... I couldn't wipe the smile from my face. Now I just need to get used to the toe clip shoes... I've already got a few good trips planned!

Back to Westmore I will go...

So this year I took a new job as a TSA in the Research and Evaluation department for Alpine School District. I love who I work with and I have learned an amazing amount of things. However, from day one, I have missed the students. I have missed the school atmosphere. I have missed being up and moving around. Over Christmas break, I made the decision that I wanted to return to the classroom. However, with budget cuts and all of the changes taking place next year, the normal teacher placement protocol has been changed quite a bit. I have been in limbo for a while not knowing where I was going to be placed. However, I just got the news last weekend that I get to return to Westmore in the 4th grade! I couldn't be more pleased. This is the exact school and grade I wanted. Westmore is like a second home for me. I love it there. My boss John promised me that he would "take care of me" and he kept his part of the bargain. Teaching... here I come! :)

Ward Talent Show

Wow, for those of you who are now married and are no longer having the "single" experience, I thought I'd give you a little trip back to the days of ward talent shows in the single realm. It is quite an experience. I participated by playing a piano song that I composed at the age of 12. It's really quite a masterpiece entitled "Arabian Calico Cats." Yes, the title says it all. I have included a few videos showing some of the extreme talents. Good times.

This is a video of Brother Jacobs doing a lip-sinc... It was hilarious! Brother Jacobs was the director of the original Johnny Lingo. He is quite the guy!



This video is Kristy's boyfriend Ryan doing a squat with his roommate Ian on his shoulder... Ian is not a small boy...


This next video wasn't a part of the talent show, but after us having some fun afterwards... it shows that I am not a very talented dancer. The guy I am dancing with is actually a really good country dancer, but I have much to be desired. Check out the ending dip!

The most beautiful country on earth...

I finally got to bike the White Rim Bike Trail in Canyonlands this last weekend. I went with my brother Joe, my brother-in-law Troy, my dad and Geoffrey. Joe also brought three of his kids. This trip beat all. It was amazing in every way. There is nothing quite like San Juan County to make one smile. Some of the most breathtaking sights you've ever seen. I rode 65 miles of the loop and loved every moment of it... except maybe for the sore backside I have from not being on my bike since last October...


Geoffrey and I getting ready to start Day 2


Geoffrey and the bike that got a lot of attention from all who passed by...


A sweet view of Ashton descending down a hill


Geoffrey and I at a nice overlook


Ashton is up front with Geoffrey and I following behind... what a view aye?


Down inside a sweet slot canyon...


Joe and Geoffrey ascending the last hill of the trail


Look at that drop off... we are such adventurers!


Joe was a master chef. We ate so well...


More food... Dad showing off his "buffness" :)



Haley and I during lunch of Day 1.


Even Annemerie rode parts of the trail!


My favorite brother in law Troy. I'm so glad he flew in for the trip.