Woooof!

Well my friends my days of sleeping in, munching all day, watching Ellen Degeneres, and my afternoon reading time is coming to an end. Yes people, I found a job. I feel as though I have nothing much to say about it. However, when I interviewed my first impression was that I liked the place, everyone was really friendly, and that it would be fun to work with a lot of exotic animals. My first day is this Tuesday. Way nervous, but more hopeful for very good things.

So yes, I will miss having a bunch of free time on my hands, but lets face it - you can only be a bum for so long. I think what I will miss the most is my long trips to the Dog Park with the loves of my life Frankie and Reggie. I've found that the park is my happy place. I go and read while the dogs wrestle behind me. I will play fetch with Frankie, and chase Reggie around the park when he happens to get the ball (he loves a good game of keep away). I also have met some really great (and not so great) people there. I always have fun conversations, and have met a few friends a long the way.

This post is to the dogs and the great time I have there. I have come to look forward to seeing all these beautiful faces. I can't wait until the weather gets better, and I'll be able to go there and stay later in the day with the warm sun. I mean, how can you not get along with these beautiful creatures?

Although I may be working now, I'll still be making time to get to the park. I can't give up one of the great joys of my life.

P.S. I took all of those photos. Fairly proud of myself if you ask me. IT is never easy to get good pictures of dogs.

Firsts For The New Year

2012 is starting out well for yours truly. It's all about starting off fresh and new. I have a lot of firsts for the year that I am going to share.

First book I've read

First album I've listened to

First movie I've seen in theaters 

First purchase (I get comments on these bad boys all the time)

Favorite Snack

First crush of the year

First craft project of the year - making a tie blanket for Brandon. It looks a little sketchy, but it was made with love.

Thats all folks. Good times ahead! 

Life Lesson For The New Year

"It's not your job to like me - it's mine." 

- Byron Katie

So, I've been doing some soul searching of sorts. I was raised to believe that everything happens for a reason. This is something instilled by me from my sweet mother. It has helped me a lot as I have gotten older, especially about issues that come up in my life that I have no control over. Sometimes I try to find the reason, and sometimes you'll probably never know the reason until you get to the other side. 

Well I think I have a reason why the things with my last job went so horribly. I needed to learn things there. I for sure learned things there. I learned how to treat people, and to also never assume who people are. But, the biggest thing thing I learned was to stand up for yourself. Love yourself.

In the situation I was in, where the owner was treating me like crap, and no one was there to have my back (in fact most of them were part of the problem anyway) I had a choice that was brought to me after a huge blow out fight thrown my way. It was either shut up and deal with it, or get the hell outta there. 

While trying to figure out what I should do, I talked to my dad who gave me great advice. First, that at the end of the day, this was just a job, and if made you that miserable you need to leave, and second, he asked "Who is going to defend Rachel? Who is going to put her first?" I often think about those words over and over again. Well, no one is doing any of that these days. So... I guess... I have to put myself first and defend me? Strange concept for me to accept. I did end up quitting, and in the last week I have realized that I really need to learn to love myself more. I need to respect myself more. I need to cut out the toxic parts of my life that want to bring me down, and fill it in with things that will lift me up as a person. This is a lot harder to do then it sounds.

But, I am now on going to stand up and love Rachel. I am going to be there for her when she needs it. I will listen, and treat her with respect. When she needs me, I will always be there for her best interest no matter what the outcome is, or what people think.

I hope you put yourself on the top of your priorities, and stand up for yourself when being bullied. You know you are better then that - so be there for yourself. You are important. No better time to put yourself on your list then now in the new year. We gotta be kind to one another, including ourselves. Preach! Preach! Preach!

Strut Your Mutt 2011

Strut Your Mutt was above and beyond what I was expecting last weekend. Brandon and I woke up early to get to the park so we could check in. I think Reggie and Frankie were more excited then I was!


We quickly met up with our team Utah Friends of Basset Hounds who were at the front of the start line. It was easy to find them considering all the basset hounds howling.


The walk was great. Everyone walked around the park in unison. I had a lot of time to think about how Brandon and I accomplished a lot by raising $390 and being around people who felt as passionately as I did. It was a rare moment in time where I felt like I was doing exactly what I should be doing - especially for a very special cause that doesn't get enough recognition. Once the walk was over, because we raised a certain amount of money we were able to go to the VIP area, which was fabulous!


We had breakfast


The boys got pedicures


We even had a pet physic that did a reading on Reggie and Frankie. It was very interesting. I was told Reggie is thankful that I put ice in his water (which I've done for years - and everyone made fun of me for it). She also said Frankie was glad to be in a forever home. Along with a lot of other silly things. I have to say I was impressed, it was a good time.

Most importantly we relaxed and enjoyed the beautiful day.





I can't thank everyone enough for the donations, love, and support we had. Thank you for helping me do something very important. Rest assured I'll be doing the same thing all over next year.

Everyone was just a little tired after all was said and done.

Working Hard for the Money

Lets get one thing straight I absolutely hate asking for money - hate it! Ever since I was 17 I always paid my bills and never, not even once, asked my parents for money. It was the way I was raised I guess. You just worked hard, got the money, and spent it wisely.

Now I find myself asking for money, and Lordy it is awkward. I decided this year one of my goals was to be more active in what I am passionate about, which is working with animals of course! So when I got the opportunity to walk in efforts to stop homeless pets in Utah, I was all about it. Strut Your Mutt is a fundraising walk with dogs done once a year to raise money to help No More Homeless Pets in Utah.
Ever since I started it up every person I walk into I'm like "Have you heard I'm fundraising for Strut Your Mutt?" "My goal is to raise $300, you should sponsor me!"

And people - I feel like a damn fool. However, I've decided to embrace it. I never ask for money so when I do, it is for something damn good. So good that I am willing to whore myself and my dignity (just a little bit).

So - Blogging buddies SPONSOR ME FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THE HOMELESS PETS OUT THERE!

Go HERE and click sponsor me to donate money. Anything helps.

Also, don't hate me for being one of "those" people. After May 21st I'll be back to my non-begging self.

New Ink

I said a while ago I was working on a new tattoo. Actually I have several in my mind, and slowly but surely they are becoming reality. The Yates tattoo came to be because of my new name, and what I was leaving behind. It really is in memory of the relationship my dad and I have. In fact, he actually tattooed the heart on me. I still can't believe I let him come within four feet of me with a needle.


Over all it turned out better then I could imagine.


I will always have a piece of my dad with me wherever I go.

Fall Lovelyness

Over the weekend Brandon and I had some peeps over to the condo for a pumpkin carving party. I seriously had a blast. But you know me, I love anything to do with Halloween. I think everyone else had a good time too. Some of the ideas people had amazed me, I'm not that talented.




My pumpkin is the one smack dab in the middle on the bottom row, and Brandon's is on the far right. I love the owl and house too. Seems like a lot of work to me!

Sunday I drove with Amelia and Brandon up to Big Cottonwood Canyon where the colors are amazing. Seriously, some of the trees were so bright with color that I was taken back while passing them. We found one really bright red tree and of course had to take our picture with it.



Oooooh yeeeaaah. I cut my hair too. You likely?


It was a very lovely fall weekend if you ask me. Why can't the trees be these colors all year round?

August Days

It's that time of the year again when August Birthdays take over my life. Well, it seems like it at least.

Brandon's birthday is a week and a day before mine. We went to eat at the Bayou and did some bowling, which I think he loved. I had a good time hanging out with friends and having them show support for Brandon being 29. It meant a lot to me.






This last weekend Brandon surprised me with a pre-birthday date. We went to Sundance for some horse back riding. Yeah, start getting jealous now.

When I was younger I lived on a farm, and did a lot with horses. Growing up I was always riding horses, but as I've gotten older I haven't been able to do it as much as I want to. So I was a little nervous to jump back on a horse. Although, I shouldn't have been worried about that since I was a pro. Brandon did alright too, especially for it being his first time.


We had a tour guide and two other people come on the trail with us. We went up to Steward Falls, and along the way it was breathe taking.




There were a few scary parts along this trail. Like going downhill, or having my horse want to run a good portion of the time. I forgave him though, because he was a beautiful horse, and his name was Bear.




After about an hour ride we made it to Stewart falls. Which of course is beautiful.




It has to be one of the best dates, and birthday gifts I've ever had. I'm already planning on the next time we go to get a group together. Everyone has to do it at least once. Brandon knows how to make my birthday special. I'm glad I was able to spend some time with him doing something new.

A Slice of Heaven

Hawaii was breathing taking.

And because I am so in love with that little island, this post is going to be big, real big.

Monday:

We had a late flight, so I spent as much time as I could with Brandon before I had to go. Eventually I met up with my family. Everything went smoothly except that my silly dad tried to bring big bottles of lotion through security (even though I told him a million times he couldn't carry that on the flight). So he checked his carry on and all was well.


The first flight I was on the smallest plane I have ever been on. It was a little bumpy, but we got to San Fransisco in no time. Our second flight was long, and almost killed me being five hours long. Luckily the weird European man slept the entire time and didn't drool on me (there were a few scary moments though). Also I was glad that it was the biggest plane I've ever been on, so I had some room. We finally got to Honolulu at 10:30pm (2:30 Utah time). We picked up our car and then got lost trying to find our hotel. Several hours later, we finally found the place. However by that time, rational Rachel was gone and replaced by crazy physco exhausted Rachel. I ended up crying myself to sleep out of pure exhaustion and frustration. Not an awesome way to start off a vacation right? Yeah, I didn't think so either.

Tuesday:

I woke up feeling 100% better then the night before. I walked out onto our deck from the hotel and saw this...


How could you not feel this happy waking up to something like that?


I smelt the fresh ocean air, and was ready to relax. Which is exactly what I did all day. I explored our hotel, and it was amazing. Our room was big, and filled with marble everything!


The hotel itself was big, and beautiful. It was open everywhere, and had fish even sharks swimming around the resort. Sharks people!!





Yeah, I freaked out about the hammerhead sharks for a long time. I can't help myself. I'm a huge shark weirdo. Also, while exploring I saw a giant pirate ship in the ocean not far from us. Which we later found out from the local news/hotel employees it is the Black Pearl from Pirates of the Caribbean. Apparently they are filming all summer in Oahu for the 4th movie, and I wouldn't have believed it had I not seen it with my own two eyes almost every day we were there.


That day we just spent time on the beach, eating some good food, and making sand castles. I went to bed feeling refreshed.






Wednesday:

We drove into town to the Aloha Stadium where they have a swap meet. There were stands of all sorts of different things, for a good deal too! We spent a few good hours looking at everything. I also made sure to have some fresh coconut water.



Next stop was the Waikiki Aquarium. Where we saw many fish. Everything there was taken from the Hawaii ocean, I kept freaking out thinking to myself that each time I swim all these creatures are below me.


I also got a cute little guy to take home.


His name is Mano which means Shark in Hawaiian.

Thursday:

My family went hiking while I slept in, and enjoyed more sun/beach time. Once we all got together we drove out to see Pearl Harbor. I wasn't sure what to expect, but being there and seeing the ships really did effect me.

The first ship we saw was the U.S.S Bowfin. It is a submarine that was sent out a year after Pearl Harbor, and every mission it had it completed. None of the men on that submarine were ever harmed too, which is amazing within itself.




We also saw a museum with some interesting things.


My favorite part of Pearl Harbor was by far the U.S.S. Missouri


For those of you who don't know the U.S.S. Missouri was the battle ship that was used when the entire world surrendered from WWII. So we got to stand in the exact same spot as where WWII ended, which was very powerful. I stood there thinking about the 70 million peoples lives lost during that war, and that it ended on this massive battle ship. It was a very respectful place.



Friday:

It was the Polynesian Cultural Center time! We drove down to the north shore of the island, where it is a lot more island like. Once we got there Alyssa and Matt were quick to get some spray on tattoos.


We also went to a great luau, with some great food.







We also saw the Hawaii LDS Temple, it was beautiful.


Of course the PCC was amazing, we had a great time at the main show.


Saturday:

Happy Birthday to my brother Jon! We made sure to celebrate his happy 15th!


Jon wanted to go back to the Aloha stadium for his birthday, so we spent more time shopping there. Later that day my dad had a surprise for us - a submarine ride! Oh I was so excited (and a little nervous). This ship takes you out to the dive site where you get on the submarine ride.



Once were in the submarine it was awesome! We saw thousands of fish - even a sea turtle. Apparently only 1% of mankind can say they have been below 100ft underwater, I am excited to say I am in that small percentile.







Since our flight didn't leave until 11 that night, we had some time to kill which was spent walking around Honolulu. It was such a beautiful evening there, I was constantly amazed by how beautiful this place is.




I spent every extra moment that I had in Hawaii on the beach, snorkeling, eating seafood and fresh pineapple, and drinking fruity drinks.


Besides all of the amazing things I did and saw, I really did have a great time being with my family. Of course there was some difficulties trying to get us all to agree on the same things, but over all it was really nice to see them for a week, and having nothing to worry about. The island is this place where the people are happy and grateful for what they have, that rubbed off on me. I had a lot of time to remember what is really important to me, what my real goals are in life. Sometimes we get so caught up in worldly things, and taking this vacation centered me a bit.

I could never thank my dad enough for making it possible for me to go with them, and to have a chance of a lifetime.

Aloha Hawaii!

A hui kaua