get in the zone.

A story:

A few days back my car read as "my parents car" in case they actually read this  died. The soul of the car sputtered in resignation and forfeited on the journey through life. It left me without vehicle for a space of time, but fortunately kind people take pity on those that are truly pitiful. Finally, after reaching a point of frustration due to my lack of mobility and post-pep talk from my dad, I obtained the necessary aid to remove the battery from my car. After assuring me that we didn't have to put the heart of my car into a cooler and jump on a helicopter in order to make it to the nearby hospital where Dr. McDreamy was waiting to transplant the organ into a needy patient whoa. what tanget did i just go on? we lugged that battery to the nearest Autozone. And then we lugged it to the second nearest Autozone because the first was useless to us.

I flexed my impressive muscles as I lifted the part onto the counter for the man to inspect oh wait. the guy i was with actually carried that unbelievably heavy cube for me. also, i do mean that he was to inspect my muscles, yes. and told the man, with a level of authority and pride previously unbeknownst to my being, why I was there and what I needed. The conversation went as follows:

"I bring you the heart of my car, which is in need of repair. My vehicle is of the Nissan make and the Versa model with a manual transmission. I trust you to find the absolutely best. Go forth and do not disappoint me." 

"oh. hey there. this is my battery and it stopped working so what do i do now? also do you have sink i could wash my hands in? and perhaps some lavender smelling lotion because i have some dirt on my pinky finger."

"Ah, as I examine the fine specimen before me I can see that the vehicle, and the vehicle's owner, are of the highest caliber. We are honored by their presence and will do everything within our power to supply such a noble pair with our most valiant battery replacements. In fact, we shall give it to you for free, in payment for your wonder. You do a service to the world for simply breathing and driving."

"HA! Look at that cute little battery. We for sure don't have anything that size. I'll probably mount that thing on a wall somehwere. Hahahaha what a joke. Oh, and that will be $130."

Moral of the story? Sneaky lives.

Second moral of all this? I always have more pictures.

Biking The Carriage Roads

Acadia National Park

The Beehive Hike

This was the first vacation since I was 18 that my sandals didn't join me.

RIP Merrels.

 

peace and cookie dough

i want a lifetime supply

rrw

hunters and harry

-Many months ago I went on a search for Lay's Chicken and Waffles flavored chip. My pursuits proved fruitless and I was left without. This week, however, a dear friend of mine presented me with the chips I had almost completely forgotten about. I was ecstatic and flattered that she remembered how desperately I desired to try these things. And try them I did. The first bite is bad. The second better. And then it just goes up from there. Think...salty syrup.

-While hiking alone in the rain on Wednesday I decided I wanted my hair up, but had no elastic anywhere near. So what you're looking at in that second picture is the concoction I whipped up. Yes, my hair is tied around a stick I found on the trail. And it worked like a gem. I think the rather fit young man running the trail without a shirt on was impressed. I mean, aren't you?

-The following morning I woke up early-ish to go frolic in the mountains again. It was beautiful. After hiking a short ways I had this crazy thought to run. I immediately acted on that because it's rare for me to feel that way. I hung my backpack (containing all my things ie keys, phone, wallet, breakfast) on a branch so I wouldn't miss it on the way down and ran on. I now realize how stupid that was. But then a nice hunter man and his son stopped me along the trail back and asked if I was Rachel, pulling my backpack out from behind them and handing it over to me. So right now I'm grateful for nice, honest people who don't steal my car and eat my banana, who pull out their phones to show me their latest kill and who basically invite me to go hunting with them. Maybe next time boys.

-The Harry Potter marathon continues on. And oh what a joy it is.

peace and rainstorms

rrw

4 Pics 1 Week: strangers, si, and snowcones

-After going to one of the best Mexican restaurants I can ever remember eating at thanks to a Tracie-friend who is too good to me, I got a call to go mini golfing. With a kid I had briefly met once before. And all of his friends. I was told to start heading to a certain destination point to be picked up. As I ran down the street a car full of men honked at me, pulled over and I heard, "Rachel?! Quick, get in the car!" I jumped in, introduced myself, and proceeded to have one of the funniest mini golfing experiences to date. But...maybe I should go back and learn more about stranger danger. Whatever. That kid and I are best friends now so it's all good. #blacklightsmakeeveryonecool

-My friend is getting married tomorrow. I'm a bridesmaid. We joke about how we met freshman year because I was for sure crazy that night and she was going on a date with an RM and that was the coolest thing 18 year old me had ever heard of. And then we were roommies and sang to Anastasia together. And now she's getting married. 

-It's blasted hot everywhere. So I met up with some old friends and we decided to get snow cones. The things were huge. Ah, summer. I'd love you so much more if you didn't melt my skin on the way home from work. But, I guess that's what the pool is for, no?

-Duck Dynasty. Uncle Si. Go google this youtube video and laugh. I think Caroline and I have found our new favorite person and tv show i'm sorry say yes to the dress! i'll always love you. but you don't have an uncle si. I have a new goal in life: become a redneck.

peace and chicken-go-wraps

rrw

downtown denver

I've always thought that I didn't really like big cities. I didn't like being around a ton of people and having a bajillion humans all living on top of each other without a shred of nature in sight. I think this mostly comes from my dislike of a certain west coast state that has way too many electoral college votes and an over-saturation of overly-paid people who put their handprints in cement. oops. did that opinion come off too strong? But since I visited Seattle and Portland about a year and half ago, I realized I needed to reevaluate this aversion to cities I thought that I had.

Denver reaffirmed this.

After flying out of Vegas all by myself, I might add. It was about time I grew up, you know? Especially since I'll be flying to Europe by myself later this year...but...we don't have to think about that yet I was picked up by my loving family and was immediately beat up on and teased about my voice which resembled batman by Caroline. These antics lasted the entire vacation, which is normal. And made for some pretty funny jokes and references. So...I guess it's ok.

We made our way downtown via the directional genius of our smart phones and the family minivan. We circled a park a few times, trying to decide if it was an ok spot to pull out the cooler and have a family picnic. After having to describe what a "joint" was to Caroline, we chose to eat on the other side of the park, where only one drunk/high man went running by yelling about how the trees were in pain and we shouldn't hurt them. amen brother.

Across the street from where we were eating was the art museum. During my architecture class I spent a good amount of time learning of the different design styles and definitely saw a slide or two of this building. Seeing it in person was awesome. And frustrating. No matter where I stood, I could not get the shot I wanted. Fortunately my dad is super supportive and persistent (more than I am on occasion) and walked from one point of the lawn to another, climbed on walls and knelt for 6 minutes, trying to find a good angle and waiting for people to pass so I could awkwardly stand in front of the sign and point to it in case people didn't realize where I actually was.

just look at all of those seemingly chaotic angles and planes. 

the geometrical accomplishment is just so. cool. 

and who doesn't love a larger than life dust pan?

The inside of this place was like that creepy show about the sister who doesn't want to babysit her baby brother so she lets a goblin or something take him and then she has to go rescue him and the baby is crawling on the ceiling and walls and your 7 year old mind is just totally blown because you don't understand it at all. Oh, and David Bowie is in it. labyrinth. it really exists. i'm not crazy.

Anyway, there were points while walking through the museum where I legitimately had vertigo. To refrain from becoming sick I only looked over the balcony once or twice ok, like, i looked a bunch of times for a long period of time. it was just SO COOL. There's no way to explain or show this experience. So I'll just put some pictures up of our antics around the museum.

an attempt at trying to show what the inside of this place was like.

 the only way to describe this room is Boohbah meets Alice in Wonderland.

but i liked this place A LOT more than either of those things.

 and then there were Hieronymus Bosch inspired puppets. 

and anything Bosch inspired is bound to be spectacular.

or just plain weird.

try to imagine the fun we had with that.

just try.

it was almost as much fun as my dad had leaping over this fountain.

well done father. 

and then we found a giant cow.

so obviously Caroline did a few chin ups on it.

 and...so did i.

*cough*

After this the minivan made it's way through the rather narrow roads toward 16th Street, the pedestrian mall in which we got gelato and were offered free pot by a street performer. I tried to convince my mom that her little pony, Captain, would fit right in with the massive Clydesdale horses pulling the huge carriages up and down the street. We concluded that conversation with the realization that Captain can't cross cracks in the pavement. whoa. say that 5 times fast. Ah, but we love that little pony.

mom's face and where's waldo, kirk edition. 

Well there you go. My only complaint about Denver was that we didn't get an omelette, which is apparently what they're really well known for? I don't know. My dad said so. So I believe him.

Case and point: cities are pretty cool.

And so are the Rockies. Hold tight. They're coming up.

peace and deconstructivism design

rrw

welcome to june

Taylor Swift came to Salt Lake and it was a big deal and lives were changed and tears were shed.

In other, less important news, I went on an adventure Saturday morning because I woke up and felt super antsy. I learned how to navigate American Fork probably not as difficult as i was making it discovered that you have to pay to go up the canyon there, was totally turned off by that, decided to hike for free somewhere in the wilderness, did so, and came up with a life plan in case I were to get bit by a rattlesnake and have to have a leg amputated. the things i think about when i hike. i tell ya. it's deep.

Then I helped a friend move, packed for next week's vacation, forgot my swimming suits i ALWAYS forget something. at least it wasn't underwear this time. #familywillneverletthatgo #sheesh picked up my friend Tracie, and went to Salt Lake. I seriously love that city. We admired all the brides swarming the temple grounds, enjoyed the wonderful weather, and stuffed ourselves at the Lion House Pantry ok, only i did. but you can't say no to one of those rolls and honeybutter. just can't. unless you're Tracie. 

I had a great time showing Tracie the Salt Lake temple, telling her about when I saw the entire Quorum of the 12 and First Presidency there, how to get to the cafeteria, the tiny bathroom and super cool doorhandles. You know, all the important stuff. I realized I had missed that temple more than I thought. It was great to be back. 

Then we relaxed in the hammock at my parents home, I talked with an old friend on the phone loving this whole missionary-coming-home thing that's going on all summer we did our hair and makeup like we were right out of a cheesy Hairspray or High School Musical movie, and went to a wedding reception with Italian Sodas and really good meatballs. We danced, ate cake, and I met a cool guy going to Ukraine with me in the Fall yesssssssssssss. i'll have a friend there. maybe he'll keep me safe-ish. 

whatever. i'm going to be fine. i got my immunizations today. i'm untouchable. 

We returned to the Weiler residence where we spent time bantering with Caroline and making a new game called "Grab the Flab" easy for me and my dad to play. difficult with Caroline. i mean, LOOK AT HER.

this picture scares me. we all agreed that it was a bad angle and that her legs don't actually look like that. but it's funny to bring up the fact that she looks like a newborn colt in this thing. :) love you caroline. promise.

where was i?

Right. Grab the Flab. Well, after that, Tracie and I went back to Provo and had some good heart to hearts on the drive down.

also, let me clarify that Tracie didn't participate in the Grab the Flab game with us. we're crazy, but not THAT crazy.

The next day I woke up, went to church, was extremely grateful for the things I learned there, got in the car, and made my way back to Salt Lake to have dinner with Spencer and Annie, who just returned from a climbing trip to Greece. yeah. i walked up a hill this weekend. they got nothing on me. They had some fun pictures and videos to show us. We even figured out how to show them on the TV without the help of Wes, our technology guru. we missed you burninghams. 

After sitting on the red couches in our basement - which are things of beauty and wonder and are not allowed to leave our ownership ever - we were all challenged to a game of croquet by Spencer. That was entertaining. Mainly because Spencer got a ton of lucky shots and overreacted with his celebratory dances and electric guitar moves on the croquet mallet. It's normal. But really, it is.

It was the perfect weekend to sendoff May 2013 and welcome June 2013. I have such a good life, you know?

Oh, and in case you didn't know, Taylor Swift came to Salt Lake City. It was a big deal.

peace and peanut butter cookies

made and ate all of those with the fam.

rrw

PS. Want to feel bad about the amount of physical activity you do each day? Click here to read about my brother and sister in law.

To specifically read about their trip to Greece click here.

They had a professional photographer or something with them there. I can't wait to see those photos. You better believe I'll link those up when they come. So...stay tuned.

Here's a teaser from Spence's blog.

next top model

I've been looking forward to this post for a long time aka since monday and I'll probably read through it enough times to make the "number of times viewed" statistic skyrocket from the usual 7 per post to about 381.

I laughed while we were snapping photos, I laughed when I went through the photos, I laughed when I thought of the idea for a post, I laughed as I typed, and I'm laughing now in anticipation. And that is why I blog. Because behind all the typing and editing and photo-ing and html-ing I'm usually laughing.
just so you know. because like, i knew you wanted to.

So now I give you...

Lindsay vs. Rachel: Battle of the Poses

The Door Frame

While Lindsay opts for the sultry stare, slightly pursed lips and flattering leg bend with gentle hands, I opt for the pigeon-toed, "I have to hold the wall up and look how surprised I am about that" look while making myself look 5 inches shorter than normal, because we all know that tall models are overrated. 

The Face Shot 

Embracing my inner eagle, I fly towards the camera with the majesty of the wind in my hair as I taste victory in the air. Somewhat surprised by the intimate distance of the lens, Lindsay kept it together and also worked the casual breeze while showing a small grin that hints to something more behind those long, hooded lashes. maybe the stroller is hers?



The Arch

Is that Superwoman? No, just Lindsay looking off into the distance, challenging any trouble maker on a segway to dare cross her steamy eyes and akimbo arms. While she's protecting the land, I bring out my inner Princess Diaries and pop my foot, waiting for my Prince Charming to get back from wherever the heck he went. i'm holding the pose until he gets here.



The Brick Pillar Lean

Lindsay seems to have a secret in this Secret Garden as she casually leans against the brick pillar, eyeing the camera with a certain sweetness that makes you wonder where she's been and where she's going. I chose the shoulder slump and laugh to show how comfortable I am against the hard brick while I stand on my ankle, proving my flexibility in difficult situations.



The Double Double 

In this double whammy both contestants attempt to connect to nature. I go for the "Sound of Music" look while I dance to the music of the hills. they must be playing "Baby" by jbeibs. Lindsay seems to take a Pocahontas spin on the theme, letting the colors of the wind paint beautiful pictures in her windswept hair as she takes the form of a diving swan.

In the end, Tyra called us both up. Look for us on the next cover of Elle Magazine. 

peace and posing

rrw

*additional pictures. 

#itsforfun -to be said in a nacho libre voice.

It's the attack of the apes.

do i really walk like that? 

i hope so

Can-Can at the Colosseum

it's what i kept calling this wooden structure. 

i mean, look at those arches.

Sassy hips.

My model strut.

Obviously.

Wait, where are my hips?

Ok.
...whatever.

Basking.

Man, if I were into those cheesy quotes on friendship I'd totes put one here. Love this girl.
#sisterwivesforever