Stephanie and Ryan: August 2013

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Endless Summer

Im looking forward to flying home tomorrow to celebrate my grandparents 60th wedding anniversary on Saturday. I'm going going to catch up with friends and other family for a good 10 days! Hopefully my elderly dog Winston is up to the visit.

These past few weeks Ryan and I have been enjoying breakfast (and occasionally dinner) on our patio, and going on at least one hike every weekend. We also stop at City Cakes about once a week for cookies, and a taco truck often as well. They are so good and dirt cheap! I've been hitting the gym quite a bit and really enjoying the Zumba, Barre, and Lift classes that are offered. I've also started dabbling in alcohol inks as an art form. See pictures below.

Last weekend we crossed the valley and went to the other side - to the other mountain range who's name escapes me. We hiked right next to the copper mines. There were a lot of atvs going up and down the dirt road to the trail head, once hiking we saw several hunters with guns and crossbows which made me kind of nervous. Good thing I had my rainbow scarf around my shoulders, not many elk wearing those this season.

Work has picked up just a little. I've been asked to be on the SPinal Cord Injury Team - which is a new initiative the company is starting with the U. It's still in its infancy, but it sounds like it will be really interesting and I'll learn a lot.

I also got my hair cut! Bangs! There's a picture on facebook.

These are all on 6x6 inch ceramic tiles:

Sunday, August 18, 2013

Be Well Utah

Ryan is on call this weekend, so our Friday night was spent just hanging at home. It worked out since we were up early for the Be Well Utah 5k for A-fib. Apparently Dr. Oz was there kicking it off, but I didn't see him. The run was good, and we ran together. There were hills and it was pretty warm, but I took advantage of the downhills to make up time.

Afterward, Ryan volunteered at the Dental booth of the health fair while I walked around. I painted my nails at the sun safety booth (the nail polish changes color in the sun!) I got a freehand massage, blood pressure reading, memory assessment, had my freckles looked at by a dermatologist, free common allergy test (dust mites and grass are not my friends). I also grabbed a lot of loot, jar openers, magnets, pens, temporary tattoos, pencil cases, stress balls, lip balm, bag clips, aromatherapy spray, and snacks like carrot sticks, almonds and fruit cups. The reason I went all out is because Ryan put in about 4.5 hours at his booth, which was 2.5 more than expected. By the end of the day the vendors were looking at me like "what is this chick still doing here?!"

We had lunch at the Red Iguana, a popular Mexican restaurant in Salt Lake. We both ordered from the "Mexican Marvel" section of the menu and really enjoyed our meals.

Ryan had to report to the ER from 7-11 as part of his call, so I made a grocery list, watched a move and went to bed. The movie was "Divorce Invitation" and I give it one star.

This morning. We had pancakes on the porch, got the grocery shopping done and watch a little gymnastics on tv.

Not a bad weekend :)

Sun reactive nail polish and a temporary tattoo

Ryan at his dental booth talking to kids about their teeth

Ready for the 5k to start

Monday, August 12, 2013

Shooting Stars and Sizzling Maseca

I can't believe it's the middle of August already.

I really enjoyed the health screening clinic for one week. The pay was good and the work was easy, and I got to meet a lot of people. The room we were in had a really nice view of the mountains. Unfortunately these screening clinics arent on any kind of regular schedule, so quien sabe (who knows) when the next one will be.

I finally received a job offer from a home care agency with which I interviewed last month. I've started training and should be out on my own within the week. I'm happy to start working with some regularity.

Ryan has really been enjoying the GPR. He's learning a lot and really just enjoying dentistry and getting more efficient at his procedures. He is on call again starting Wednesday for one week. He's also been listening to spanish lessons in the car on his way to and from the clinic. I listen when I'm in the car with him and I'm getting a little better with it too!

We hiked to Lake Blanche on Saturday and came back down in time to see The Tour of Utah road bike racers go by, flying down Big Cottonwood Canyon. It was really neat to see. We finished off our day with gluten free pizza from The Pie near the U Campus.

Sunday morning found us waking with the nighcrawlers. We got up at 4 and made it up to Guardsman Pass by about 4:45. We were looking for shooting stars/meteors. Ryan got an excellent shot of one with our camera. We each saw about 4 or 5 go by over about an hour period. We came home and got back in bed for a couple hours.

I've been making tortillas and arepas with the masa (maseca) flour I picked up a couple weeks ago. Both recipes are basically just corn flour and water with maybe a little lime juice or salt and tossed onto a frying pan. I use very little oil and we always have home made tortillas now, the arepas make a good bun substitute for burgers or sandwiches.

I've started dabbling in alcohol inks on yupo paper as well as ceramic tiles. I'm still learning how to use them, but I'm having fun doing a little art work.

Ryan will be headed off to Montezuma, Utah in a couple of weeks for the entire month of September. I'll be visiting Canfield for the first week he's gone, and I plan on meeting him half-way one weekend while he's down there. He's bringing his bike and is looking forward to mountain biking is that area.

I'm looking forward to seeing everyone back home, including celebrating my grandparents 60th wedding anniversary. I'll also be going to se Train in concert at the Canfield Fair with mom :) Fun times ahead!