Summer through Fall Randoms

Alright, here is the update summer through fall, minus the dance trip! I will post some slide-shows when I get around to making them!
One of my old roommates from my semester in Romania was in town, so the few of us that were all in Utah at the moment got together to see her. I love, love these girls! It still amazes me whenever I get with these girls that one semester abroad, four months that made such a huge impact on each of our lives in one way or another, could have brought the ten of us so close together; girls that probably would not have been friends in any other situation. We all have such extremely different personalities, but all have a base and passion for life and humanity. I have some of the best memories in my life with these girls (plus the 6 that aren't pictured).


A weekend with Clog America! This summer Clog America hosted our first International Folk Dance Festival. It was small and quaint, but we all had a good time! Alex and Kyle, our videographers from tour this past summer came into town from San Francisco, which was a lot of fun to see them too!!



My D go married! This is the only picture I have from Derek's wedding, the other is of me and D hiking Machu Picchu. Derek and I have been friends since we were 4! We fell out of touch a few times when he moved in the 8th grade - became reacquainted in high school after randomly bumping into each other at a mutual friend's house and then again after a random encounter at the gas station in Bountiful years later. We have since stayed in touch and he's one of my really good friends.


Oh my poor car! Pobrecito! This car has been so great...hopefully it can get me through a few more months, at least!

NOV 25: International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

"We must unite. Violence against women cannot be tolerated, in any form, in any context, in any circumstance, by any political leader or by any government.

The time to change is now. Only by standing together and speaking out can we make a difference."

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

The month of October was Domestic Violence Awareness month. I had this to post and never did...but since it is important, I am still posting. However, today, the 25th is International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Since this is all along the same lines, I felt even more justified in posting it :)

Women aged 15-44 are more at risk from rape and domestic violence than from cancer, motor accidents, war and malaria, according to World Bank data. Domestic violence is such a sad and tragic event that is unnecessary.



Besides it being Domestic Violence Awareness month, October is also awareness month for SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) and Breast Cancer.



Domestic violence touches the lives of Americans of all ages, leaving a devastating impact on women, men, and children of every background and circumstance. A family's home becomes a place of fear, hopelessness, and desperation when a woman is battered by her partner, a child witnesses the abuse of a loved one, or a senior is victimized by family members. Since the 1994 passage of the landmark Violence Against Women Act, championed by then Senator Joe Biden, our Nation has strengthened its response to this crime and increased services for victims. Still, far too many women and families in this country and around the world are affected by domestic violence. During National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we recommit ourselves to ending violence within our homes, our communities, and our country.
During this month, we rededicate ourselves to breaking the cycle of violence.

-Barrack Obama