We headed out after work on Friday. One of our friends in the ward was coincidentally going down to her parents winter home in Washington and she let us tag along so we had a place to stay. Her name is Sachi. Three other people were going with her and we didn't know two of them. We wouldn't all fit in one car so Marianne and I decided to drive separately. Have you ever done the drive to Southern Utah from Salt Lake? It's not that bad of a drive but at night time it's quite boring. Thankfully, Marianne and I took turns.
So we get there Friday night and are introduced to the two very attractive boys. Andrew and Aaron. We all just kinda talk that night. Nothing spectacular or anything.
Oh wait. It was Valentine's Day weekend too. Earlier I made the raspberry lemon cupcakes that I learned to make in Arizona over the summer. I took some to my visiting teachees and then to Jake and Brad. Those are two boys in our ward. One has a girlfriend and the other I would date in a heartbeat but he's stupid (because he doesn't ask girls out!!!).
Anyway, we went to bed late Friday night and slept in on Saturday. Although, small fact about me. Even though I'm not a morning person, when I am on vacation or in someone else's home I can't sleep in. I always wake up as the first rays of sunlight. Sometime's it's real annoying. I didn't sleep in as much as I would have liked but heck, we were pretty close to St. George and it was a gorgeous morning! Sachi was so cute and made us an adorable Valentine's Day breakfast. It was delicious!
After breakfast, we all went our separate ways. Sachi, Michelle, Andrew, and Aaron were going to hike Zions National Park. Marianne and I headed down to Vegas for the night.
We got to Vegas and drove by our hotel. Only, it was a hostel. Yes, you read that right. We stayed in a freaking hostel! More on that later! The weather was beautiful. It was in the 70's!! The first thing we did were the rides on top of the Stratosphere.
When we were done with the Stratosphere we went to grab dinner. We ate at Smashburger. I didn't really like the place. Also, I was feeling the dizziness from the ride earlier so that might have been a contributing factor. We got lost in Caesar's Palace. I HATE THAT PLACE!! Okay, maybe I don't. But we got lost for a very long time. We kept going around in circles. We couldn't find our way out. It is built like a labyrinth. Ugghhh! I have no idea how people find exits. It took us more time than I will admit to make it outside (and I really wanted to go outside. There was tons of smoke inhalation...we are in Vegas in a Casino after all...). We finally reached outside and walked down the strip. We made it to the Bellagio and witnessed the amazing water show they put on. Some day I will stay in the Bellagio. Even if it's just for one night. It will happen! That hotel is so elegant. Oh in between finding the outside we did buy jeggings at H&M. I had no idea they were jeggings. If I had known I wouldn't have picked them. It wasn't until the dressing room and so I tried them on and love them!
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| This is in the parking lot of Caesar's Palace. Real classy dude, real classy. |
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| The Eiffel Tower in Vegas |
It was probably close to midnight by the time we made it back to our hostel. The place seemed quite shady and we contemplated driving back to Washington. Not only did the guy at the counter tell us one of our reservations had been cancelled but he then tried to get us to sleep in separate rooms. The hostel we had reserved was a room of girls only. He told me he didn't have an extra bed for one of us (me) but that he could put me in the mixed room. UMMMM, NOO!!! We almost left but then Marianne made him feel stupid by asking to see our reservation and it said on there it was for two females in an all female room!! So the idiot let us be in the same room together. I slept like poop and I know Marianne did too. Here's a picture of our beds. Yes, they were bunk beds. It reminded me of a bunker. I've never actually been in one of those.
We woke up bright and early. Really. It was 6:30 and we were both wide awake. We quickly got ready in our church clothes, naturally as it was Sunday, and left by 7:30. We did not want to spend more time than necessary in that place. We wanted to go to a ward in Vegas. I don't know if you know but Marianne LOVES Brandon Flowers. The lead singer from the Killers. He lives in Vegas and a few weeks before some of Marianne's friends just so happened to attend the ward BF goes to. They met him. Told Marianne so it only made sense that we make the attempt to see him as well. The ward didn't start until 11 or 12. I can't remember. We had hours to kill before then. We decided to go to the Vegas airport. We parked in the Walmart parking lot and watched planes land. I took a nap and felt much safer there than I did the night before at the hostel. Let's just say I will never be that adventurous again. The hostel situation anyway. We were so ready to go to church. After having spent an evening on the strip and being in that creepy hostel going to a place that was familiar was refreshing. I try not to take the Gospel for granted in my life. I really do but sometimes it happens. I was so grateful that Sunday morning to be able to partake of the sacrament and feel the Spirit. Not that we hadn't felt it before on our trip. It just was great being in church surrounded by the Saints of God. The Lord tells us to be in the world but to not be of the world. I love that the Gospel is the same everywhere you go. No matter the language, the state or even country. The Gospel doesn't change and when the Gospel is in someone's life the way they act is the same also. People are full of love and kindness. They have the light of Christ shining on their countenance. We didn't stay for the whole meeting. We left after sacrament where unfortunately, we did not see BF. :( I told Marianne that meant we would have to make another attempt soon.
When we got back to St. George we met up with the other group. We all headed to the Visitor's Center and watched Meet the Mormons. I loved being back there and seeing the sister missionaries. It always bring such great memories. I loved serving there!
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| This is how we ended the night! |
Back at Sachi's parents house we all stayed up and chatted for hours. We played a few games: Battle of the Sexes and 5 Second Rule. I didn't really like Battle of the Sexes but I sure loved 5 Second Rule! You have 5 seconds to name 3 things that correspond with the question on the card. It really makes you think on your feet. Some of the questions: Name three mountain ranges. Name three books. Name three George's. Things like that. It was so fun and hilarious!! We also made an after midnight trip to McDonald's where it took 10 years to get our food. Poor girl that worked there. I have never eaten so much McDonald's in my life. I had my quote for the year and if I never have to go to another McDonald's again, I would be fine with it.
Monday morning was pretty chill. We went to breakfast down in Ivins at a place called Xeteva Gardens. It's pretty hipsterish. Very healthy. It was good!
Then we played some tennis and I made a fool out of myself. I keep thinking I should ask Aaron...he's the guy I'm standing next to in the picture above to help me out. He went pretty soft on me when we played doubles. That was kind of him. Haha.
So that's part of what I've been up to the last little while. It definitely was a fun trip and it was so great getting to know those lovely ladies (Michelle and Sachi) better. And it was definitely great to make two new very attractive male friends. Though in case you're wondering we haven't hung out with them since we got back.
Also, just so you know I couldn't sleep. I've been up since 6:35 Utah time which makes it 5:35 Arizona time.
Also, just so you know I couldn't sleep. I've been up since 6:35 Utah time which makes it 5:35 Arizona time.
