Welcome to Utah

I made it!
I have been living in Draper for a little over two months now and I still love it. It is so different from my warm, blue sky, sandal-wearing, always need sunscreen California. But that is why I find Utah so attractive. When I tell people that I moved to Utah from California they look at me as if I made the most ridiculous choice in the world. "You wanted to see the world, so you came to Utah?" Or "Why would you move to a cold, damp, gray place when you can have tropical all the time?" they would ask. I would give them a nice smile and shoulder shrug and say that I am actually liking Utah. "I don't hate it yet". I have not experienced Utah the way others have. My thoughts and opinions are like those of a student starting a fresh year of school. Excited for the new year until real life happens and things get challenging. I am not saying that I expect to start hating it at some point. I am loving it. But things cannot be perfect all the time. And I think people here think that is the way California is. The grass always seems greener. I have learned that when we have something forever, we begin to lose appreciation for it. Maybe not on purpose but it happens. It no longer romances you the way it might have at the start.
Let me be clear in saying that I did not make the decision to move away from my home so that I can have the hopes of regaining appreciation for it. However, a consequence of my move has helped me to see things differently and to have a greater appreciation for life.
 Moving to Utah has been so exciting for me! I feel as though I am in the beginnings of a new relationship (not that I have any experience in actual relationships but I imagine this is what it would feel like haha). You walk around wearing your rose-colored glasses and the inconvenient problems that I am sure will one day be annoying, like being forced to spend 15 minutes scraping ice off the car before heading to work in the morning, are actually exciting.Or discovering new places and quirks that the city may have.

drinking hot cocoa in SLC

my hiking trail

sledding with Mia:) 

I love the fact that there is snow. I also think it is natural for the thermostat to read 44 degrees in January instead of 84 degrees. I love that I live on the mountain. When I walk out my front door, I see nature. The snow-capped mountains are just a walk across the street. Instead of driving at least 20 minutes to a great hiking spot, I walk down the street and choose from a plethora of hiking trails. People here complain about the weather. Why? Back in California, I realized that Californians are spoiled when it comes to the weather. If it is not 75 and sunny, the weather is horrible. Here in Utah, the people are not spoiled but instead, become irritated that once again, like clock work, the cold has come and with it sleet and snow. I am enjoying the cold. There are so many new things to do and make use of. Like drink hot cocoa because it is actually cold outside. I can finally wear my collection of scarves and gloves that I have never had a real use for. Or being able to take awesome photos in the day during a snow fall. Or being able to witness fresh snow glistening on the ground like a Harry Winston necklace. It's just so beautiful!

taking my 1st picture
during the snowfall

My travels to Utah were without challenge. The weather was just as perfect as one could hope it to be. Before I left, I purchased a new vehicle. My previous car was great but I knew I would need something a little more suited for the snow. I drive a silver Ford Edge AWD. I hate the color silver on a car, except mine. Not sure why but I'm glad it doesn't bother me. I am thankful I went with an SUV for the simple fact that all my stuff barley fit into it. It was like playing a game of Tetris. My dad and I drove together. It was a nice ride. My only experience traveling from California to Utah has always involved my entire family. Seven people crammed in one car along with all our luggage. Needless to say this experience was much quieter. We arrived in Draper a little after 8:00pm. When I opened my car door, I fully expected to be hit with such a cold front that my body would freeze in an instant. I live about 6,200 feet above sea level. It was cold, but not startling cold. It did start to snow however. I thought, "Oh! How magical. Snow came just for me." But what I did not think about ever, is that snow will melt the moment it touches anything with a pulse. And so it did on me and in my new car. I only unpacked the next days necessities. When we walked in the house, I felt great. Comfortable. As if I have always been there. We went to bed that night without any problems. In the morning my dad and I took our time getting ready. He had to do a little work on his computer and his flight did not leave until 3pm. We had lunch together at Pick Up Stix. He was giving me last minute advice as how to drive in the snow, what oil to use on my car, call home often. We got back in the car and headed to the airport. It was only a 15 minute drive. My dad got out, gave me a hug and kiss on the cheek and left. And just like that, I was on my own. For the first time. I remember not feeling sad or scared, but "Holy cow! This is it." I remember listening to Taylor Swift's new album "1989". Although it may not make any sense to anyone, that album will always remind me of my first taste of real adulthood.
For the next month, it was as if I was on vacation. I was unemployed except for the occasional babysitting job. I kept quite busy and made enough money so as to not completely deplete my savings account. I had one job in particular that was hard work but worth it in the end. A family heard that I just moved and had a lot of time on my hands. They asked if I could help them move. I ended up moving a three-story house all by myself except the furniture. It took I think three days to complete the task. I was gone form 9am until 7pm. Packed, walked upstairs/downstairs, loaded into my car, drove down the mountain, unload, upstairs/downstairs, unpacked and organized and drove back up the mountain to do it all over again. I was so thankful because it kept me busy and I made a pretty penny.

Christmas lights at temple square
with my new ward. So fun!

My first Sunday in Utah I decided to attend the Draper YSA ward since I do live in Draper. Come to find out it was not my ward and not even my stake! But I went anyways because three friends of mine from my ward in California had moved to Draper as well  and they attend that ward. It was ok. I did not feel anything special. I was not sure what to expect. I had only ever been a part of one YSA ward and did not know what to look for when attending a new one. I also attended a couple of their activities and I was still indifferent about it. All I remember is that I was not excited to participate in the ward. The following Sunday, I told myself I would give that ward one last shot. I ended up sleeping in and missed it. The ward started at 11am. I woke up at 7am and figured I had plenty of time so I fell back to sleep. I woke again at 10am. I quickly researched what other wards I can go to. I found that the Fort Canyon YSA ward starts at 1pm. Turns out that is my ward! I got dressed and headed to Alpine. I walked into the building and although I could not figure out what it was, I felt so different. I felt good. I felt excited to be there. I took my seat next to two girls whom I did not know and listened to the speakers. When the first meeting ended, I was walking out of the pew to go to the next class when the two girls stopped and asked if I was knew. I told them of my story and talked for a little while. As we were talking, I could not help but to think to myself that one of the two girls looked awfully familiar. I admitted to her that she looked so familiar to me but I did not know why. "Have you ever been to California?" I asked her. "Actually", she says, "I grew up there. Northern Orange County. Brea". As I continued to ask her questions, it became apparent that we grew up in the same stake! And we never knew each other! I could not believe it. Here I am, in Alpine Utah, over 800 miles away from Orange County and the first person I speak to is from my home stake! What are the odds? We talked for a few minutes before our next class. We shared our occupations and why each of us moved to Utah. Turns out, she is a hygienist. And my new Bishop is a dentist.
I stayed the entire duration of the ward and then some. I really like the size of the ward. Not too big and definitely not small. The average age for the ward is mid-twenties. Every Sunday, the ward has what is called "Munch N' Mingle". The members go to a bishopric member's house where we play a different get-to-know-you game each time and then have desserts and hang out. I swear, every house I go to just keeps getting bigger and bigger. One house had a half basketball court in their basement along with the typical theatre room and billiards room. Another house seemed to have three different backyards complete with jungle gym, trampoline, and a zipline!
I have learned a couple of things about Utah since living here.
1. This state does not believe in street lights. Commuters are forced to either drive almost blind at night, or drive with their brights on. Of course if that is the option you choose, you find yourself constantly  turning them on and off as traffic comes your way.
2. This state does not believe in visible home addresses. There have been a few times where I arrive at what I think is the house, walk in only to find out that it is not the house. I apologize and leave as quickly as I can.
I have also learned that it is much easier to find my way around when my GPS tells me my directions versus me reading them.
3. Deer are everywhere! I have lived here for a little over two months and have already made contact with two different deer while driving at night. The first one I thought was horrible. I am driving, on my way to a church activity, and from my peripheral vision I see a giant deer head running toward my car. My reaction is to brake and swerve out of the way. But then I quickly remember that swerving is the worst thing to do. So I grab my steering wheel, apply the brake and hopefully miss the deer. I hear the antlers scratch my car. I get out to find almost nothing. What was there I was able to buff out with my finger.
My second encounter was just this past Monday night. I am once again on my way to a church activity, driving down the mountain when I see a deer come out of the dark and onto the street. I am a little better at the breaking and miss the deer. Then the second one comes out and smashes right into me! It was like a slow motion picture. The head hits my car and then flings back with force. When I reach the end of the mountain, I get out to survey the damage. This is what I saw.

When I drove back the same way, I did not see the deer in the road. I didn't even kill the thing!

Deer are so dumb. You know that saying, "Deer caught in the headlights"? Ya. This one just ran into it. It is currently in the shop. 

                                                                  Welcome to Utah.