Those Pesky Resolutions For The New Year

Yes, it's that time again.  I don't know where the last year went.  I've always been told that each year in your life goes faster than the last because proportionately it's a smaller part of your life....It certainly seems that way.

I realized as I read a few of the Christmas card letters this year that not much of note happens for most people throughout a year.  At least I'm not alone in that.  But, this year did bring a few big events:

• My sisters, parents, and I went to Kenya for a safari.  We saw amazing things, met great new people, and had an incredible time (hopefully I'm speaking for all of us).
• We finished the first full year of being married....which truth be told wasn't all that much different than before we were married.  The big differences is that we have a joint checking and saving account now....and even that took us a few months.
• And finally, I hit the big 3-0.  After a bit of panic (three months of it to be precise), the big day came and went without much fanfare and I survived to live another day. 

Now to think forward a little bit....I am a planner after all.  Here are a few resolutions and items to cross off the bucket list for this year:

• I'm going to work on learning a second language.  I'm debating on which one.  I've got it narrowed down to Swahili (so I can go back to Kenya and live forever) or the more practical, Spanish.  Maybe I'll just do both??
• Start taking guitar lessons and put that guitar that I was so sure I would use to use....or just start playing Rocksmith.
• The always cliche, work out more.  It's been a rough year spending time on myself and getting healthy.  I have been mandated by the doctor to exercise more and with work conflicting, I haven't been so good about following that medical advice.
• Read 36 books. This year I set the bar low at 24 and finished 37, so it's time to up my game.  I might also try to finish the Kurt Vonnegut collection within that 36.
• Visit Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Grand Canyon National Parks.  I've hit all of Utah's National Parks, and it's time to expand the boundaries. 

So that's my list.  I'm also going to blog a bit more this year....I say that every year.  So you should read and comment more to give me the motivation to keep going.  Share it, too.  I like new readers.

Hope you all have a great New Year's Eve.....I'm sure I'll be tucked into bed nice and early as I usually am, so enjoy it for me.  And have an even better new year!

A lot more Safari Pictures

Here are links to a lot more safari pictures -- if you're at all interested anymore.

• Nairobi
• Amboseli/Selenkay
• Rhino/Ol Pejeta
• Mara/Ol Kinyei
• Lion/Olare Orok

A Few of My Favorite Things....Nairobi

I'm slowly but surely organizing my thoughts and pictures from Kenya.

It was truly the most amazing place I've ever been.  Between trying to get back to a normal sleep schedule and dealing with all of the noise, I'm still struggling to integrate myself back into daily life in Utah.....

While things are still relatively fresh in my mind, I wanted to tell some of my favorite safari moments.

• Nairobi
• The elephant orphanage.  The little baby elephants are too cute not to love them.

• The giraffe center.  Though I didn't so much care for the giraffe licking my face, Darcie really did.  I think she could have spent the entire two weeks there feeding giraffes and would have had just as much fun.

• Wilson airport.  I've never been through such a smooth airport experience.  We showed up and the man at the door pointed at his sheet of paper with passenger names and asked if that was us and through the door we went.  We were even allowed to have liquids.  And then most importantly (after I had a minor outburst at my sister for giving me a hard time about my fear of flying and my mom also telling her to stop so I didn't have a panic attack) I survived my first very small plane flight.  After the initial nervousness, I actually liked it.  It's nice to be able to watch the pilot and see out the front window.  It does give somewhat of a false sense of control.

The Big Five

We saw all of the big five while we were gone.  I have to say that after my mom yelled and scared the elusive leopard away, I was a bit worried there wouldn't be photographic evidence of our sighting.  But here they are:

The Elephants

My First Rhino

The Intimidating Buffalo

The Lion Cub I Wanted To Pack Up And Bring Home

The Elusive Leopard

The Safari!

I got back from Kenya yesterday.  There are a lot of things to share, but a few highlights for now while I'm organizing the rest of my thoughts....and pictures.  They will all be posted sometime in the next couple days.

First I just want to say that this was the most incredible experience!  I can't wait to go back!  We got to see so much and I think Kenya is one of the most beautiful places in the world.  At least the best that I've been to.

While we were there, we spent a day in Nairobi visiting the elephant orphanage and a giraffe manor.....Then off to Amboseli/Selenkay Conservancy for two nights....Then to Nanyuki/Ol Pejeta Conservancy for three nights....Then Maasai Mara (two camps) for four nights....Back to Nairobi for a night and home.  It was a busy couple weeks with wake up calls early in the morning and then go-go-go all day and then late dinners to wake up and do it all again the next day.  I guess you could say that I brought excessive reading material thinking I'd have a bit more downtime. 

We stayed at four Porini camps and each of them were very different, but all great.  We saw the big 5 and many other animals....some that I'd never even heard of.  We had good food, good company, and a good time all around.

And here are just a couple elephants to tide you over....

Safari Countdown

Just a few more days!!!  My dad passed this along to me and I'm sharing it with you.  Be forewarned....it is mildly disturbing, but such is life in the great outdoors.

Safari!!

I'm getting pretty excited about our upcoming safari....Despite my recent outbreak of hives and severe pain from the yellow fever in my left arm.  Just sharing a video to show how awesome it's going to be...