Slick Deal

Sometimes I think that I am extremely impulsive-this time I don't have to think about it, I KNOW that this was impulsive, but I fell in love.

Last night my brother Coby and I found some great bikes for sale online and stayed up half the night talking about motorcycles. We were drawn to two in particular, and this morning Coby went and did a test drive for me in Utah.

I applied, was approved and got financing today for my 2005 Yamaha V Star, 650 cc. (Mine looks almost exaclty like this, but it is black and doesn't have a windshield.) Right after I decided I was going to do this I felt a little buyer's remorse, but not so much anymore. I am a little giddy right now. Now I just have to find out when I can go get the bike...WOO HOO!!!

Moto Madness

Last weekend I took a class that I have been looking forward to for the past month. I took my beginning motorcycle class. We rode Buell 500's, a Harley Davidson brand of motorcycle just like the one pictured above. Boy did I have a blast!

We spent the first day in the class--boring--but informative. I just couldn't wait to get out and ride. (By the way, I had only ridden one motorcycle in my life up to this point, and only for two days, a few months ago.) The morning of the second day was spent entirely out on the course. I love the freedom and power that you feel when you ride a motorcycle. I learned a lot of defensive maneuvers and had plenty of time to practice them. Every now and again when I would do an exercise close to one of our instructors and they would try to talk with me, I would get nervous and mess up. I started going through each exercise mentally before I completed it, and that seemed to help calm me down. We then went back to the classroom and took our written exam. I only missed two.

The morning of the third day found us out on the range again. After we broke for lunch we did a few more exercises and then our instructors informed us that we would be taking our riding test-I got a little nervous. We were informed that if at any time during the exam we dropped our bike, we would be dismissed. I was about fourth or fifth in line and so was able to go through the movements I was going to make a few times. The first part of the test involved completing a figure eight turn in a small box and then swerving to miss an obstacle. After that portion was completed the rider was supposed to turn and look at the instructors to ensure they didn't have to redo any portion of the test. My turn came and I perfectly executed the different challenges. As I was coming to a stop I turned my head to look back at the instructors. I wasn't fully stopped, and sometimes there is a connection between turning your head and your handle bars, so my bike started a slow fall. I tried and tried to catch it, but wasn't able to stop its descent until it was about six inches from the ground. I was so relieved that I caught it! My only problem was that I was in an extremely awkward position to try to lift the bike back up. I held the bike at six inches off the ground for about ten seconds and then I mustered up enough strength to s-l-o-w-l-y pull it back up. After I got it up the entire course erupted in cheers! It was so embarrassing and funny. Needless to say, I finished the rest of the exam without incident.

After we had finished our exams, the instructors called us over to them individually to tell us how we did. I aced the exam, not getting a single point deduction! ( : The instructors then proceeded to praise my performance and asked me if I would like to teach the course. Hm. I asked if they realized my history on a bike was not long, and they assured me that they knew what they were asking. I told them I would consider it.

Now I just have to get my bike....

Spring Break Report

What a whirlwind vacation last week was! I loved every minute too! I'll run through the day by day.

Monday

Drove the Sacramento area to my Aunt Connie and Uncle Gary's and played with my cousin Sarah and her two kids. We weeded a garden, went on a walk, did a puzzle, watched the new Emma Smith movie and of course, stayed up late talking.

Tuesday

Drove to Monterey, where it was really windy, and played with my cousin Hilary and her two boys. Brennen is one of my new favorite people. He is so much fun!

We went on a hike and then down to the wharf. I lost my wallet on the wharf, cancelled my cards, filled out a police report, prayed a lot, and someone called me with my wallet the next day. What a blessing. We also saw Harbor Seals and their pups, ate some great clam chowder and Brennen and I fed tons of birds!

Wednesday

Drove to Merced and stayed with my Aunt Suzette and Uncle Matt. I got the housing tour, from their most recent house, to the one they just moved from, to the one they originally lived in when they moved to Merced. We ended up at the lake at dark.

Thursday

We planted a vegetable garden, shopped, packed, and then drove to our yurt outside of Yosemite.

Friday

We drove in to Yosemite and checked out the valley, including Bridal Veil Falls, Yosemite Falls and the chapel.

Saturday

We drove back into the park and hiked up to Vernal Falls. We drove back to Merced and slept well.

Sunday

We went to church and then I drove back to the Sacramento area and visited with Sarah, Tim and their girls for a bit. Then I found yet another route back to Carson City that seems to be the fastest route yet. I got home that night and slept well again.

During this vacation I was also able to listen to two books on tape! I love books on tape!

This was such a fun Spring Break! I can't wait until Summer!!!

New Adventure

Today I participated in the Civil Air Patrol's "Fly a Teacher" program. I met up with five men over the age of 65, most of which had been in the military much longer than I have been alive, this morning and was briefed on the way a plane works. This was a great review since I had forgotten most of what the branch president told me when we went to Watsonville in January. Someone was from the CAP was writing a story about it for the paper to pump up their publicity so as I was re-learning the way a plane works, a camera was going off in my face every few seconds. After the review we went out and I got to help clean off the glider. Yes, I said glider. I jumped at the chance to try a glider, since I have already flown in a small plane.

It was a great coincidence that my glider pilot is the father of one of my co-workers. We had a grand time! First the tow plane took us up to about 8,000 feet and then we detached ourselves from the tow rope and the ride suddenly became smoother. Gliding is basically a prolonged fall unless you can find some thermals to give you lift. We searched around for some thermals for a while but didn't find anything that gave us lots of lift.

This is a picture of us at about 8,000 feet.

Frank, my pilot, let me take the stick for a while and we just flew in a straight line. Then he asked me to apply what I had learned on the ground and make a turn. I had to keep the nose slightly down, the aileron (sp?, wing flaps) to the right and push in the right rudder hard. I did all of that but then couldn't keep my line straight in the turn, and so the glider naturally straightened out again. It was fun to fly for a while.

After a bit we decided to head back to the runway because we were running out of altitude to play in. We fell at about 100 feet per second, but we were traveling at a speed of about 60 MPH. It was the longest fall I have ever had, taking in total about 25 minutes.


If you ever get a chance, try gliding...it is a blast!


We kind of hung out on the runway for a while after we landed. I got to see a few parachuters. Maybe that will be my next adventure in the sky... ( :

Up and Coming

I don't think I have ever been as excited for Spring Break as I am this year. Maybe it's because I am on the other end of things for the first time, and I actually have money to go do someting fun! My plans are to bounce around from cousin to cousin, aunt to aunt until I end up in Yosemite on Thursday. I have never been before and I am super-stoked.

Much Needed Visit

Last weekend I was able to go home to see my family. I lisetened to three books on tape! It was great! It was a beautiful drive...here is some of the evidence of that...

I am probably the best bragger when it comes to my nieces and nephews. I just love to be around my family, and my nieces and nephews are some of the most fun people I know.

I got to play with Ander a lot at his house. He really liked dyeing Easter Eggs. He just dipped his fingers right in!

I also got to hang out with Bradey in his Harley outfit. He loves the hat.

Two cute brothers that look just like their dad when he was their age.

Jonah looks more like his mom than his brothers or dad. He is one of the most tender little boys.

We decided to go on a walk and used the 'buddy system'. Bryn was Bradey's buddy. Needless to say they had a hard time staying next to each other.

Gillian was Ander's buddy. Notice they are wearing blankets. It was cold outside and only the TJ Bushman's remembered to bring their jackets.

Ander and Bradey's relationship is interesting to me. They are only six months apart and have lived in the same house as one another. They are such good friends sometimes, but then at other times they just walk up and punch each other. I love it!

JD and Ember were buddies on our walk. They stayed at the tail end of the group to make sure everyone was okay. ( : (This is really code for: they were running half way down the street, into the street and other areas and needed a purpose.)

Jonah is such a fun baby. He still smiles for me, even though I have only seen him twice.

Jonah decided to help Brynleigh crochet a blanket for Brynleigh's new little sister who will be born this month. It's so exciting to add to the group! DaNette is due to have her little girl next month.

I also got to enjoy conference and was once again impressed with the overall feel. I think I can say it every time, but I never participated in such a powerful conference before. It is such a privilege to hear from our leaders. What valuable wisdom they share. I had to sit down after conference and re-evaluate how I am living my life. I love it when things come about to help me change for the better.

By the way, I got a new phone, with the same number. If you happen to read this call my old number so I can have your number again. Thanks!

Missing Something?

For someone who was completely anti-cell phone, I have become fully dependent on one. I never realized this until I actually didn't have my phone. Yep, I LOST it. Oops! I have scoured my house, my car, my garage, everything.

I was scoping out the local Goodwill, looking for some screaming bargains when I last had my phone. I'm pretty sure I dropped it there and someone picked it up. They turned it off, which is funny, because once you turn it back on it is locked and can't be used. Too bad they can't use it. My brother suspended service too. I will most likely get a new phone, but I can't help but hope that they will bring it back to Goodwill.

Any suggestions about a new phone model???