Date Night

So, a couple weekends ago Dan and I decided to go out on the amazing, and huge town of Provo. There is always an adventure to be had in "zoo" town! The last time we went out on a date in Provo we went to The Malt Shoppe, and in typical BYU fashion, there was a triple date going on. The daters chose the booth next to ours, and thought it pertinent to pray over their hamburgers and fries. Yes, pray. Oh, and I am not talking about the close your eyes for a couple seconds, I am talking full folding their arms, bowing their heads and mumbling their prayer aloud. We were lauging histerically - quietly of course. Based on this experience, you can imagine how excited we were to go once again to Provo for our date night.

We started the date out at Outback Steak House, thanks to a gift certificate from some great friends. Friday nights at restaurants, as you all know, can be very hecktic. Especailly here in the Provo/Orem area, where they refuse to take reservations. So we went and got our name on the list and decided to hit up this cute little bakery called The Sweet Tooth Fairy. They sell gourmet cookies, cupcakes, brownies, cake balls, suckers, etc. We choose 3 cupcakes and 3 cookies. There were so many choices, we couldn't just chose 2!

We then headed back to the restaurant where we had some great steak. We also had the wonderful privelage of sitting next to some very serious "anti BYUers." They believed in yelling insead of talking, and weren't afraid to express their opinions about how "lame" BYU is. We all know the type. We loved it, and hated it.

After dinner, we decided to go out for some good old fashioned bowling. We had no idea the bowling in "zoo" town is quite popular, and apparently, the thing to do on a Friday night. We arrived at Fat Cats Alley only to find that the wait was approximately 3 hours, but we could definately get our name on the list. We obviously didn't want to wait 3 hours, so we left to find another bowling alley around - which wasn't hard to do, as there are a lot of bowling alleys around. We decided on Miracle Bowl. Well, once again we were dismayed as we found out that the wait there was also a couple hours. Never would I have ever thought that I needed to make a reservation to go bowling.

We decided to forgo the bowling idea, and decided to go shopping instead. But, by that time the mall was already closed, so we stopped by the Kohl's by our house. Sadly, there were no awesome finds. So we decided to do the typical -- get a Redbox, and snuggle on the couch. AKA, Danny watches the movie and I fall asleep. It really is probably my favorite thing to do, but for obvious reasons, Danny hates it. We go through a ritual, he frequently asks if I am awake, to which I nod my head, which he takes as a "YES." I just do it so he won't wake me up. I really am alseep. Then he has to deal with helping me get to bed, getting me into pjs and brushing my teeth. He usually does get a laugh or two out of the funny half-alseep comments I make, so it can't be that bad.

Ah date nights. My ideas are getting sparce, so I am up for any fun ideas any of you have. As you can tell, I NEED HELP!!!!

On another note, a couple weeks ago I got BANGS! What's the verdict?

Peru Bound...

Ok friends, it's official! I am going to Peru. On Thursday, February 11, Lynley, the professor I went to Africa with invited Anne Marie and I to speak with her about the research we completed in Africa at a conference in Cusco, Peru.

Since we have been back from Africa, we have been working on publishing our findings. We really would like to present at a conference, and usually the rules are that if you want to present, you have to do it preceding publication. (Crazy, I know) We could present at any health conference, but when this opportunity came up, we couldn't let it pass. So, we are off to Peru. I don't have all the details yet, but as far as I understand, we will be presenting on our findings of HIV/AIDS, how to prevent, change lifestyles, and provide information regarding myths associated with HIV/AIDS. We will also be speaking on health literacy, and just general preventative care practices. I am so excited. We leave March 20, and will be gone for 8 days. (I get to spend my 22 birthday in Peru).

We will be speaking for 2 days, and when we are not speaking, we will be providing humanitarian aid for the people. I am so happy to be able to help. Ever since coming back from Africa, my heart has been aching for something more I can do. Recently, there has been some major flooding, so we will be helping build, paint and clean up the damage. It will be a wonderful experience.

The last two days of the trip will be spent in a small village at the base of Machu Picchu. If the flood damage is taken care of, we will be able to hike Machu Picchu as well as the larger mountain next to it, though at this moment, it's name escapes my mind. Our flight leaves quite late on Sunday the 28th, so we will spend the last day touring around Lima, Peru's capital, shopping and seeing the sights. I feel so blessed to have yet another opportunity to serve and further my experience in the health field. I have been given some great opportunities to serve others, as well as gain an education and understanding of what the world is really like outside my protected, safe bubble. The Lord works in mysterious ways in my life. He seems to place opportunities in my lap and say, this would be great for you, take it or leave it. I hope I will always be able to take those opportunites and make them the greatest they can be. Life is crazy, and there isn't room for "should haves" "would haves" "might have beens" and "if onlys" I feel so blessed to be in a place in my life where these words don't apply, and even more blessed to have a husband who supports me in every decision and opportunity I get. He is truly the best man in the world!!