Gearhead?

Tevas, Columbia, Dakine, Marmot, K2, Burton, and Scott. What do all of these names have in common? They are all name brands of products that can be used in the great outdoors. I have at least one item of each of these name brands. Be it hiking gear, skiing gear or camping gear. Am I a gearhead? I want to say no, but part of me wants to say yes, yes Dallin you are a poser. Erin explained to me that a gearhead is one that has all the gear, name brand items, but really isn't that into the actual activities that come with the gear. In other words, posers.

Most people who know me, know that I do like to do things outside. I just don't do it all the time like other enthusiasts. So, I guess that makes me a semi-gearhead. For me it is making the time to do activities outside. Saturdays are precious to me to get certain tasks done, so I don't like to use my time frivolously. However, I always do feel better after spending some time in nature. Especially cousins hikes, or snowshoeing up the canyon.

Well winter has been around for a few months in Utah. With the snow in the mountains, I figured it would be a good idea to go skiing....until I actually got on the mountain. I headed to Snowbird with my friend Justin (who is a much better skier than I) and we made it to the quad chair lift. It was a slap in the face of how much skill I lack; not to mention my stamina is around zero. I feel like I have good mechanics, but I don't quite trust myself to hot-dog it down the mountain. I have a nice slow pace, but it can take a toll on my quads and knees. I guess I need to go more often. It's just so expensive to go skiing! I'll need to start a skiing fund so I can go more often. Snowshoeing on the other hand is free. :)

I don't want to be a gearhead. I want to be a valid owner of all these outdoor products and gear. I'm committed to making 2011 an outdoor year!

My motto in life: Others have done this, I can too.

Well, I did it. There's no going back. I sent in my departmental application for graduate school yesterday. YIKES!! What have I done!? Erin read my personal statement and said it was fine. Oh man, I have wanted to go to grad school for a long time. I chose to go on my mission before attending grad school because the mission was only going to hold its luster for a short while. It was go then or not at all. Grad school would always be an option. So I set it aside to go run around Argentina with a skirt, a name tag and a book for 18 months.

But now, I am on the education track again. I love school and feel it is something that I am good at. I have always been the type of student that cared about class, being prepared and grades. I think I can be a good student and focus. I had some pretty awesome professors and an advisor write recommendations for me. They think I can do this, so why not?

I don't want to put limitations on myself because of my own insecurity or perceived shortcomings. I too will survive grad school! "I will triumph!"

They say it's your birthday!

Everyone has a special day. One that is significant only to her. Today is Sarah Ligget’s birthday!



You know, they just don’t come better than Sarah Ligget. We met four years ago in a magical place called the MTC in Provo, Utah. At that time we were both Hermanas and were the greenest of the greenie missionaries beginning our 18-month LDS missions. We would be together for two months in Provo and then we were headed to South America – Sarah to Ecuador and I to Argentina to preach the gospel. We escaped the MTC a few times – once to the emergency room and then two more times to the doctor’s office. Let’s just say we made the whole district green with envy! We had been to the outside world!


Our adventures in the MTC were quite fun and I learned so much from her. Sarah has an amazing testimony and a great sense of humor. We hit it off from the start! Both of us Aggies and sporty. She laughed at all of my quirky comments and jokes. I loved teaching with her and our walks around the track during gym time. We became such great friends in our short time together.


January 29, 2007 – the most depressing day of my mission! Sarah had been packing all night to get ready to go to Ecuador. I was done packing and finally went to bed, but didn’t really sleep, dreading the goodbye that would soon ensue. About 4:00am, Sarah told me she was leaving. We hugged each other in the hallway and I watched her walk with her luggage to the door and leave with Hermanas Savage and Hatton. I went back to my room and broke down and cried for a good two hours. If that is comparable to losing your eternal companion, man, I don’t know if I want one. I finally had to pull myself together and get ready to go to Salt Lake to get on my plane. It was a rough day…


Luckily mail is not obsolete and we exchanged letters throughout our missions. Oh blessed days when the letters finally arrived! I devoured them and read them each about ten times. I missed my companion more than words could convey.

May 18, 2008 – Oh happy day!! Reunited! Listening to Sarah give her mission report filled my heart with joy. She had mastered Spanish just like I knew she would. Listening to her infectious laugh that I had missed for 16 months was the cherry on top!


Luckily, we have been able to see each other since our missions and I have loved every laugh! She is the best of people and I feel privileged to know her and that she is mi amiga eterna!


¡Feliz cumpleaños a ti Sarah! ¡Te quiero un montón! ¡Que el dia sea todo lo que mereces!