"Are You Serious?"

So a couple of friends and I decided that we really wanted to go on a hike. Bell Canyon being a favorite of ours, we met up early in the morning and began our adventure. With a expected, very long hike, it was unfortunately cut short by a very unfortunate event. So we had hiked for a good 2 hours when we decided, we were on the wrong side of the run-off. So we tried to find a point to cross. In the picture above, we joked about crossing the log, but knew it was too dangerous, so we had decided to take pictures on it instead. Well I was up first, turned out okay, and then my friend wanted to have a turn. Well she handed off her camera and I turned my back to get to a safe place to take the picture. Well, as I was walking with my back turned, I heard a scream. I whipped back around to find my friend monkeying the log upside down. My first reply was, "Are you serious?" as I dashed over. She was just laughing, which made me laugh, but we were both very freaked out in reality! The run-off was huge! The biggest I'd seen it! So I put my arm out to grab her and pull her out. Seconds later she was telling me to let go. I replied with, "Are you crazy? I'm not letting go!". But when I did, I had realized she found a rock to stand against the current and get out herself. Did anyone else think that moment was a lot like the Titanic? ("No Jack, I'll never let go!" Then she lets him go.) Welp, with that climatic experience, we felt it was time to end the hike. We joke about it now, but it's absolutely crazy and terrifying to think about the What If's of that situation. It was a spectacular miracle that I will never forget.

San to the Fran

So I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to join some friends and classmates on a trip, DURING SCHOOL, to San Francisco. This was for my AP Art History class, and it's my most memorable time from my senior year. I absolutely love San Francisco, it is a spectacular city. Somehow we managed to fit ALL of the tourist attractions into the four days we were there and more! So instead of writing a novel, here are the highlights.

1- Extra long bus tour rides after a flight.

2- GREAT ROOMIES! From left to right: Amber Adamson, Kelsey Brown, and Megan Whitehead. Love these girlies. We had many fun and... late nights :)
3- Great friends who are always there for each other... really, meg just owned mike.

4- Very active and very fun church at Glide Memorial services. Lots of singing, and they were phenomenal. We found ourselves standing up and clapping alot. We also had an interesting sermon from a very enthused man.

5- The Golden Gate Bridge of course!

6- A favorite, and constant visit, the Ghirardelli Chocolate factory. Very scrumptious chocolate sundaes there. So divine!

7- Cheesecake Factory. Fun company and great food it was a great time. However, we lost track of time and were super late for our lecture. Whoops! So we got our cheesecake and dashed back to the hotel, on the otherside of town. But the best part was our, very very late night sneak out cheesecake party.
8- The Farmers Market was so big! So many vendors and entertainment, it was a lot of fun! They sold amazing food like fresh fruits and delicious pastries to interesting trinkets and great clothing.

9-Next, we had to visit the second most crookedest street in the world. (Wall Street being the first. *Cue laughter*) That was a joke from our favorite trolley man. But this is at the top of Lombard Street a must see attraction. If you've seen What's Up Doc?, you may know what I'm talking about!

10- I miss this spot the most! We found this little beach spot while walking around the piers. It was so much fun! Even though the water was freezing, we played in it anyways. Also, we had an amazing view of the most amazing sunset! Oh the memories. :)

11- When we were tired, we found we had the most fun just walking around the streets and piers and seeing all that San Francisco had to offer.

12- I also LOVED the scenery. The landscaping was absolutely gorgeous all over San Francisco. They also had many artistical pieces everywhere.

13- These beauties are called the Painted Ladies. You might remember the yellow one from such series as Full House!! That's right, that was their house!

14- The trolley rides were definately a must when experiencing San Francisco. Or so everyone told us, and they were right!

Also, with such a tight fit, we were able to get to know each other a little bit better than we did. ;)

14- Then last but not least, Wicked for a second time, this time at the Orpheum. It was phenomenal, just how I remembered it. I love that broadway show. I also got to make a new friend seeing how we had to split everyone up. I was put next to an old lady who sat their and reminisced days back when she used to act. She was a HOOT, but talked throughout the whole show. It was great.

15-And let's not forget the whole reason why I was down there for. THE ART! I loved all of it. It was definately a new experience. We witnessed favorites from Rodin to Marc Rothko. AHHHH! It was simply AMAZING! The MOMA was my favorite, which was the Museum of Modern Art. Modern Art is just so interesting to me! Here are some of my favorites, just to list a few!

And who could forget the weird artistic films we saw in the exhibits. Artistic is the key word here... keep that in mind when you watch this sample.

I realize there were a lot of highlights, and some I even missed! But I feel it's better if you all just go experience it for yourselves! I promise you will love it!

Warning!

Hold on to your knickers ladies and gents, I'm about to try and catch up on everything. Post after post, I hope you all can hang in there! Sorry again!

- Mandi West

"Hello Sweetness"

Hey everyone! So I realize I've been slackin on the blogging. My bad. A lot has happened, so I guess I'll just quickly summarize the biggies.

First off, yep, basketball is over! This year actually went by fast if you ask me. We had a great year this time around and I couldn't be any happier of a way to go out. We had a shot at taking region, but didn't quite take it. However, we did make it to state finally! We ended up losing to American Fork, the state champs. But it was a great experience afterall. I'm going to miss this team so so much!

Up top were takin after senior night. Sad but amazing night.

Below are from the banquet. Much senior lovin!

This is coach Horrocks (Jensen)

She was named coach of the year in our region, and totally deserved it.

Also, SHE GOT MARRIED!! Just got back from her honeymoon. I know, shocking right? Her hubby is the guy staring us down in the background of the pic. hahaha sometimes he's a creeper.

Next off, I've been hanging out with the famo alot now that basketball is over.

Guess who came into to town for a week though!? It's my most favorite family, the californian Heybornes.

That means my first ever chance to meet my darling new chubby niece Gwen.

I just adore that toothless smile!

Things that I love about this bunch:

- I feel like a kid again

-My nephew and I kung-fu fight

-We made their first snowman out of very little slushy snow

-We all don't care what we wear

-We make awesome snowmen

-Oh and last but not least, always a comedian Max drawing me as a cheerleader with a mustache. Anyone else notice the heart-dotted "i"??....

What's to come:

-Joined Alta's Ultimate Frisbee Team! (they took state last year! Two-pete, Two-pete!)

-San Francisco Art History Trip in just two weeks! I'm psyced!!!

-Graduation???? Utah State?????

Just Two Minutes of Your Time....

Yeah, make sure you don't get sucked into that hoax. Twenty minutes is more like it. Unfortunately, my friend Ashley and I did get sucked into it at the mall the other day. The worst part is my dinner got cold, and I lost a buck! This kid comes up to us, and asks for just two minutes of our time... I already knew it wasn't, but was stupid enough to ask what for. This was our downfall, and I forever will regret it. hahaha As soon as I said that, the guy felt welcomed to pop a squat right next to me. He concocted some story about a contest he was supposedly in.

Slick Guy-"So do you lovely ladies feel like helping me win a contest?"

Ashley and I look at each other blankly. Not able to stand the silence I ask, dumbly..
Me- "What for??"

Slick guy- "Kay, here's the deal, I'm in this contest to become my school's next DJ and you charming ladies have the opportunity to help a hansom guy as myself to win." *laughs* " Well, maybe not handsome enough for you guys, but I know you still want to help me."

Oh brother! He was laying on the "charm" way too much. We couldn't help but laugh and just listen.

The first part of his visit unfortunately was a trick to get me embarrassed. He told us that in order for us to help, one of us had to stand up, wave our hands in the air and say, "How can I help you to win!!" Well, Ashley and I put up a pretty good front and wouldn't do it. But I soon gave in cause I wanted to eat so I stood up and yelled at the top of my lungs. Yep! You guessed it! He really didn't need us to do it. He really just needed us to subscribe to some magazines. So of course I felt stupid. However, soon enough I wouldn't be the only one. The best part was one of my favorite pick-up lines this fella threw at Ashley. It went a little something like this!

Slick Guy- "You ladies seriously are so charming! I can't handle it! Especially you!" *points to Ashley* "Oh wait, did you know you have a little something in your eye?"

Ashley- *pokes to same eye as him and asks, " What is it?"

Slick Guy- "You have a little twinkle in there."

Ashley- *Actually thinks there is somethin in there and tries to dig it out* "Did I get it?"

The guy and I both laugh

Ashley- "What?"

Me- "Ashley, he's saying you have a twinkle in your eye. Get it? Like your eye twinkles?"

Ashley- *pretend laughs like she understands* "Okay, so did I get it?"

Oh goodness, best moments at a mall ever. But I will never again fall for the, "Just two minutes of your time" bit ever again. I hope I have educated you all in this ploy and hope you all have a wonderful day!

"Can we watch it again??" *Take 6*

I love a good ol' Saturday Night Live Skit, but who knew my 7 year old nephew would be showing me one? Hahaha Max is a real comedian, and here's one of the skits he just had to show me this week. I'm not sure if it was just the skit or how Max copied it that made me laugh, but I hope you enjoy this gem.

Stories from the Westside: Seinfeld Moment

Seinfeld is the greatest show, or at least my family thinks so. Maybe that's why we find most of our stories related to a Seifeld moment? This story is quite recent, but will most likely go down in history with the others. It still brings a tear to my eye.

For those of you who watch Seinfeld, this is from the episode where Jerry goes to dinner at his girlfriend's house. Long story short, he doesn't want to eat the meat so everytime he took a bite, he would distract her while he spat the food right back into his napkin. Here's a clip for those who don't know what i'm talking about.




Well, we were at dinner the other night celebrating my Grandma's birthday. We all love my Grandma, bless her heart, but she is a hoot! During dinner, my cousin's dog was bugging Grandma, and she just kept pushing the dog away. But in the end, the dog just wouldn't stop. We had found out that grandma was storing food in her napkin! Oh dear. We all started to bust up, and Grandma was still trying to pretend like she was innocent. It was the best moment from my grandma.

By the by Happy Birthday grandma, love you very much!