So after a spectacular day 1 I awoke with great expectations for my Rachel Rehab Day 2.
Its interesting because it couldn't have been more different than the previous day but still totally great. (And it was a true Eat, Pray, Love Moment).
Started out at 8 I walked over to Les Madelines Bakery a few blocks down. I must admit I'm exhausted from all this city walking. It's funny I always think I'm in great shape and then I do something I've never tried before or done in a while and it kills me! All the walking I did today my feet are killing me and might have 2 blisters!
(I could only find 1 tennis shoe for half the day…Insanity is starting in). So flip flops it was and I'm sure that caused more pain than was required.
Anyway I made it to breakfast at the famed bakery Les Madelines. Everything was delicious but my favorite was the pan au chocolate (or chocolate croissant). The hot chocolate was super good but very rich. Almost wished I had someone there to share it with.
I also bought macaroons for my Mom as a thank you gift for her help with my surgery. Yum!
After my delicious breakfast I came home and enjoyed conference but to be honest it was hard to totally enjoy it after President Monson's big announcement- new ages for missionaries! I think 19 for women is just about the best thing I've ever heard. It will give so many more women the chance to serve. To have the experience of a mission to build up their families. I wouldn't be surprised if we have whole districts on missions just with sisters. I think the numbers will increase that much. Awesome is so overused but fits.
Think of all the great people who will be taught, the service that will be done and the women they will become. I am a huge fan of the new rule!! I think it takes one extra step in equalizing the genders within the church which also feels good.
I found this very moving. I do sometimes think if I had my dream job or a boyfriend I'd be happier. No I need to be happy now. This weekend has taught me that I have the capability to make myself happy without any other involvement. That's power! (Well me and God but no other humans)!
Power to create happiness that's a profound concept.
So after the first session I went to city creek mall (the new outdoor mall they built in SLC. Its pretty amazing). It was a lot of fun and very busy. Still I got some Lush bath bombs (yum!) and headed off to Deseret Book (they have a lot of sales and things between conference). To my thrill Alex Boye was there performing and boy was he great! He shook my hand and we briefly spoke. He was so funny and engaging. Danced, sang and did the splits! It was such a treat!
Me and Alex Boye. He's so cool!
After that treat I walked around some more and then gave up on the City Creek restaurants and found a food cart across near the Harmons advertising tacos. I love tacos, especially authentic small street style tacos.
Taco truck. Just me or is the taco guy kind of cute!
To me street food can be just as exciting as a fancy meal with a paragraph to explain ingredients. The tacos were prepared with care and full of flavor, presented with kindness. That's what matters.
For the next set of Conference my sister Anna came to join me and we cheered to the new announcement!
Mormon Toast. (Apple Cider) Cheers!
After that we went swimming and it was a lot of fun. They have a great pool here. After all the swims I've done in the last year and a half I still find it the most relaxing thing I can do. That and hot tubs. I LOVE HOT TUBS!!!! I still have a lot of muscle pain each day and the hot water relaxes them like nothing else. When my muscles aren't tense I'm less tense, that's why I love hot tubs and massages.
We talked about the higher things of life which to me is actual talking but also some silly stuff too. So fun. I really appreciated her coming down and spending the day with me. Its funny how I can have such a fabulous time talking deeply with my best friends and yet enjoy being alone just as much? Seems like an impossibility but its true.
sisters. The thing I like most about Anna is we can both talk about our lives and hearts but not feel a need to solve those problems. Just talking.
She also gave me 2 t-shirts that are cute! It's so fun now that I've lost weight people can actually give me clothes without me feeling a sense of panic that it isn't going to fit and there will be an embarrassing moment. Hurray!
Surprise gift seemed perfect for this weekend. Thanks Anna!
Next we went to dinner and being an asian studies major Anna loves that type of food. I do as well but am maybe a bit more picky. We went to Plum Alley which is minutes from my hotel. Maybe I've been spoiled the last few days because it was good but not great. There was something in the soup and noodles that tasted strange to me. It had a spice I wasn't used to. Still, liked a lot of it.
These pork bun sandwiches were really good. Honestly if I went to this restaurant again I would just get the appetizers.
Anna enjoying the steam bun!
We had such good discussions and I pondered on where my life is and where her life is starting out. I envy her and at that same time am grateful I don't have that kind of pressure.
Once we left dinner my family was in town for Conference so we headed over to my grandma's and visited with my aunts, uncles, cousins, parents and grandma. I gave my Mom some macaroons in return for her help with me during my surgery. They were yummy (she cant have wheat or dairy so one of the few things she can eat).
I've always had a good relationship with my cousins. My cousins the Kings are great conversationalists and as a philosophy major, my cousin James is especially interesting to talk to. I wish he was around more to wax philosophic with because so few will do that with me. Most people find that annoying. I'm going to try and do better with getting my cousins together.
We actually played the game psychiatrist. It's one of those group games like murder in the dark but more fun. We had a great time together.
Unfortunately my phone was out of juice so I only got one photo of the ice cream bar (Mormon tradition!). My Dad took a bunch of photos I will post when I get the chance.
Anyway, I would say of the eat pray love days, this was the love day. I really am so loved. I am loved by God and Jesus Christ. I am loved by my family and my dear friends. I may not have found my true love but I should never complain for lack of love.
So, Friday eat day out of the way. Saturday love day. Better get some serious praying today 🙂 . I think it will be a slower, more contemplative day so it shouldn't be a problem.