Geocaching

So.... embarrassing flashback story number #5,314...

When I was a kid, I loved playing spies.

I don't know why, but I particularly loved playing this game at my grandparents' house, often with my sister Shauna and my cousin Natalie. I came up with all these ridiculous missions that involved sneaking around trying to be stealthy.

Well, I think I've found the grown-up version of Spies. This last weekend, my roommate Melissa and I went Geocaching! It was my first time.

If you're like me, you might have heard of Geocaching, but you don't know quite what it is. It's basically like a never ending treasure hunt that requires GPS. Once you sign up on their website (it's free!) and download their app, you have access to all this treasure. Your map lights up with circles representing caches people have stashed all over the place. Here in Provo, Geocaching is fairly popular, so there are TONS.

You pick a dot, follow the map until you're in range, and then you can read the hints for what you are looking for and where it is. Then you commence searching the area to find it, being as stealthy as possible--you don't want Muggles (non-Geocachers) to see you.

Here's me with one of the three caches we tracked down Friday night:
(slight spoiler alert for Geocachers in Provo....)



Uber spoiler alert: It was hidden inside a fence post that turned out to be hollow with a removable top. How cool is that?!?

I still need to work on the stealthy part. :) But I had a blast trying this out. I love that you can do it anywhere. And I like the whole "secret club" aspect of it too... I don't wanna be a Muggle!

Right now I'm trying to convince all my friends and family to give it a try too. If you haven't, you really should!

Exciting News

So.... I got an interesting email today.

A couple years ago, I published a research article called "Examining the Early Evidence for Self-directed Marriage and Relationship Education: A Meta-analytic Study" in the Journal of Family Relations.

Today, I received word that the National Council on Family Relations would like to include my article in the next edition of their Family Life Education textbook... A textbook I used in a couple classes during my time at BYU.

 

 

I may be a little bit excited. :)

BYU Inauguration

Yesterday I had the chance to go to the BYU Inauguration ceremony for the new BYU President, Kevin Worthen. Since BYU is a Church school, the First Presidency and Quorum of Twelve Apostles are all on the board of trustees. The entire First Presidency came, as well as Elder Nelson (he conducted), Elder Oaks, and Elder Holland (since they were past BYU Presidents). The Relief Society General President and the Young Women's General President were there too.

Shauna, Kristie, and I managed to get seats in the front row off to the side. The First Presidency and Elder Nelson came in the entrance right beside us--and all the General Authorities exited through that door later, so they all walked past just a few feet away! Shauna got a video, I'll have to see if she'll send me a copy to share.

After the GAs came President Cecil O. Samuelson and his wife, Sharon, came right past us. Pres. Samuelson has been President as long as I've been in Provo. He's always had a great love for BYU and all of the students here. I will miss him. As he walked out, the students gave him a round of applause for all of his service. I admit I teared up a little bit watching him go.

But I know the new President is called of God. He gave an amazing speech. I know he'll be an excellent President.

Summer in Review

Time to look back at my Summer Bucket List! It looks like I got about 2/3 of my goals accomplished... not bad, not bad.

Honestly, I think this was my best summer ever. :) Definite highlights were the trip to San Diego and the trip to Lake Powell & Bryce Canyon. Also I loved spending the last month at home, chilling with my family. This summer I really took advantage of the flexibility of my job (working from home) and didn't hesitate to travel around for "working vacations" (although don't worry, the two trips I mentioned above were definitely legit vacations :).

So... now that summer's over... here's to making this the best fall ever!! Maybe I should try making a fall bucket list? Hmm... That could be fun. I'll think on that.