Scaling Mountains and Capsized Kayaks

Aubri and I didn't get to chat much at church, so we decided to organize another hike--to the Living Room. It's right by the University of Utah's Red Butte Garden. I got to know some awesome people including Nick, Tommy, Nathan, and Aubri. We ended up just scaling the mountain. 

This pose is a shout out for my friend Eleise (she's currently on a mission in Rhode Island; see below)

Taken last August on Mt Timp. Miss this girl! 

Then, with it being Memorial Day weekend, a ton of my friends had planned some sweet trips. First up was a trip down the Provo River. My friend Colton had some kayaks his parents let us borrow. We strapped them to his Suburban and then headed up the canyon. The top part was great. A couple fun rapids, especially since the water is much higher this early in the season. I'm going to be rafting again on it this summer, so it was awesome to get the feel of the current again. To my surprise, I could actually physically and mentally remember the river. Those boy scout trips last summer actually paid off! 

They only paid off to an extent though. Colton and I were overzealous and very confident in our novice kayaking abilities. As we headed down the bottom of the Provo River in the canyon, the river upped its intensity. Many people don't know this, but the Provo actually has some level 5 rapids which take a little bit more preparation and scouting to go through. Our zeal caught up with us as we both capsized within 200 yards. I still have the bruises to prove it. Next time, Provo, next time. 

So we had to hoist our kayaks out of the river, mine being full of water. With the help of some adrenaline, we got our kayaks out safely. 

We were still miles away from our cars. So, we did what any logical, stranded adventurer would do: 

Thankfully Colton was wearing a BYU Alumni shirt...Someone pulled over within 10 minutes. Nicest guy ever named Phil. Was he on his way to work? Yes. Was his wife in labor? Why yes, yes she was. HE IS THE ONLY ONE WITHOUT AN EXCUSE TO PICK US UP. Cool guy. 

Next Time: 

Goblin Valley

The Donut and the Runs...Dreading it, yo.

Here are the beginnings of my adventures:

Last week I planned a hike for my ward. We hiked to Donut Falls up Big Cottonwood Canyon. It was an amazing view. Everyone on the hike were good sports because most of the trail was covered in snow still.

The pinnacle part of the hike was the snow climb up to the falls. Any moment you could slip in the slushie snow down into the rocks in the stream. Thankfully we made it out with only scratches and bruises: the tattoos of adventure.

Then, I went on a cabin trip with some people in my ward: Lauren, Courtney, etc. That was awesome! I actually have been up to Pineview Reservoir before (family trip with an ex-boyfriend) so it's great to improve the memories with new ones at those cabins. We went four-wheeling in horse fields, hot tubbing, dancing, and just simply lounging around. It was the most rest I've had in a while. Then, we went and "chaperoned" Lauren's brother's 18th birthday party. It was huge. Imagine a backyard dance party you've seen in the movies. Pretty sure we were the craziest dancers. 

Then there's running (except for days I have another activity planned). I've found some pretty cool trails in Salt Lake. There's a continuation of the Bonneville Shoreline trail, Ensign Peak, and Freedom Trail. I had quite the blunder the other day when I was running and then suddenly I heard some thunder. I was 30 minutes out, which means 30 min away from Emerson (my Subaru Outback). Of course, my car was back where the clouds were coming from. It was the most counter-intuitive feeling running alone on this bare mountain trail towards the dark abyss. Before I made it back to my car, I decided take cover and try to wait out the storm. I ran to the nearest building: The Huntsman Cancer Institute. As soon as I got in the doors, it started raining. It was more like a mix between rain and snow. There I was in this ritzy facility in shorts and a tank top. Out of place much? After the storm calmed down to a steady trickle of rain I decided to brace the cold. I still remember how cold my fingers and legs were as I bolted back to my car.
The panoramic above is from the Bonneville Shoreline Trail. It's a view from Provo (it was one of my favorite trails to run).

Next adventure was probably getting dreadlocks! It took about 4 hours to get them done. It was well worth it. I love them!

Next up: 

Hiking to the Living Room.

Kayaking Down the Provo River & Hitchhiking.

Goblin Valley.

What I Be

What I Be Project

This website contains the most beautiful art project I've ever seen. I am so amazed at how the artist perfectly captured human experience. How we all have insecurities. We are not defined by our weaknesses, but rather our ability to overcome them. The Lord is there to comfort us when our hearts are full of sorrow, but he's also there to make our weaknesses, our strengths.

Oops, Never Posted This

Last week on January 1st, I attempted something I was convinced that I could not like.

Skiing.

I usually kid around about why I have a prejudice against this sport. Two of the guys most influential in my life (but that broke my heart) were skiers. Therefore skiing is correlated to my heartbreak, right?

Deep down I did actually want to learn how to ski. But, secretly I wanted them to teach me. I had this crazy picture in my mind of us on the hill, him looking up at me, encouraging me. My skis crossed, knees bent, and a crooked smile spread across my face as I made my way down to him.
 
However, that didn't happen. I actually learned with my friend Spencer and his girlfriend. Spencer taught me the basics, and then I spent most of the evening practicing on my own. It was definitely a bittersweet contrast to what I had pictured.

But, I kept skiing. I had an accident with another skier that night. But, I kept skiing. And guess what? I actually like it.

I learned how to ski on January 1st of 2014.

This is a year of much anticipated change for me.

This year I will graduate from BYU.
This year, I will hopefully buy a car.
I will leave another home, and make my home in a new city. A city that will hopefully provide me with more hope.
I will start pharmacy school. I will be doing a graduate program. To be a doctor. Dr. Suzette Rovelsky. I tell people that with my river guiding license and my PharmD, they'll have to call me Dr. Captain Suzette Rovelsky.

I've had a hard time looking back at 2013.
The year still started out heartbroken. Another lonely winter.
Then, I moved.
I moved to Monticello.
I said goodbye to two of my best friends that I feel so lucky to have.
I did become a river rafting guide.
I did volunteer. I volunteered at the TRC. At the hospital. And at the Crisis Line. Some really cool opportunities there.
If I thought last year was a lot of change...

This is my year of change.

Everlasting Beginnings

I only have a couple of minutes to write, but I am so excited to log my adventures this summer in this blog. As an end has come to living in Provo and attending BYU (except these 2 spring classes I'm taking), I reflect on how much this blog has kept me going through the hard times and good times. I hope to continue this log as I experience a lot of change this year.

"How grateful I am to my Heavenly Father that in His plan there are no true endings, only everlasting beginnings." -President Dieter F. Uchtdorf