Snowshoes and Paranoia

This Saturday I decided to go up Millcreek to do some snowshoeing. Good plan. I also decided that I have been under a lot of stress, so I would go alone to have some thinking time. Good plan too, unless you've seen "127 Hours" lately...

For those of you who haven't heard of this movie, it is the true story of Aaron Ralston, the Colorado man who got trapped in Southern Utah and cut off his own arm. To sum it up, he decided to go hiking alone without telling anyone where he was going. He knocked a rock loose on his hike, which trapped his hand between the rock and the wall of the crack he was in. He didn't have a real knife, just some crappy multi-tool. He did all sorts of crazy crap to stay alive. He ran out of water and eventually peed in his camelbak and DRANK HIS OWN URINE. He also used the neoprene sleeve from his camelbak to create a tourniquet, tightened the tourniquet with a carabiner. After he realize his multi-tool knife wasn't going to cut bone, he BROKE HIS OWN ARM and eventually went all crazy on that shiz and CUT HIS ARM OFF!!!!!! Yes, I know I used caps excessively there, but seriously people- that is so gross! Moral of the story: had he been with someone else, or even if he had told people where he was going and when he would be back, he probably wouldn't have had to go all psycho path on his arm. I am telling you right now that if I was ever faced with impending doom of that sort, I would not survive. My will to live isn't that strong. I would try to get out for 20-30 minutes, all the while crying and praying for help. After the 30 minute struggle, I would eat all of my food and drink all of my water. Then I would cry myself to sleep and probably never wake up again. Screw drinking your own pee!

Back to snowshoeing...I went alone, but I told people, just to be safe! Turns out that Millcreek was not an original idea on Saturday so I was never in any real danger. Although there was a fair amount of time alone, I ran into people every 20 minutes or so. I would be fine if a rock trapped me. End of story. Now enjoy some pics...

Pretty Creek


Safe and back at the car with all of my extremities!

J. Simp's Biggest Mistakes...

1. Leaving this hot piece of man:


2. Starting to eat trans fats:

The Life and Times of Kirsten

It has certainly been a while since I posted anything of relevance so I thought it might be time for a brief update of what I have been up to since April...

May: I made a big decision in my life and went through the temple. It had been on my mind for a while but then some things happened that made me understand that it was the exact right time in my life. Once I made my mind up it all happened fairly quickly. We're talking about 2 weeks between when I decided it was time and when I did it. I am not one to get super churchy on this type of thing, but it was incredible and I know it was the right thing for me. I'll leave it there, but big props to Carly for being my amazing escort, Duff for the blessing before, and my amazing friends who came to support! I love you all so much!

June: I got the heezy out of the PAC! After 5 long years I found a job with a great company. I love what I am doing now and the company I work for is awesome! I enjoy going to work and I get a kick out of the people I work with and the environment I am in.

July: Lots of sun bathing and pool time. I also started getting eye lash extensions. If you haven't ever had them, I highly recommend them!

August: Lots of camping. Tent trailers are the most amazing invention known to man. I also became enthralled with this author who essentially writes romance novels. Yeah, I admitted it. Get over it!

September: Football started! GO UTES!!!!!

October: More Football. Halloween. Blah, Blah, Blah...

Which brings us to today. Life is grand! Careful people, it's about to get all mushy up in here.............................................Over the past few months I have really come to appreciate the friends that I have been blessed to have in my life. I have been trying to take time to let them know how important they are to me and to spend more time with the people I love. It was pointed out to me the other day that I often start stories with, "my best friend...", but I will be talking about a number of different people. The thing is, I can't pick just one "best friend". I have so many friends that have been there for me at different times in my life that I can't pick just one! Each of them has been exactly what I needed at a specific time and now I am lucky enough to have a whole slew of best friends! I love you all!!!!!

And with that, I leave you with a picture of this year's Halloween Costume. Patrick and I were Max Hall's family. I didn't partake of the beer on our shirts. Calm down...

Quit Stalking us!

Remember how about 10 months ago swine flu was all anyone talked about? It was all over the place. Don’t lie—every time you got a sniffle, you assumed it was the swine flu and ran to get meds. Well brothers and sisters, we have something far worse on our hands. This epidemic seems to be spreading across all age groups, ethnicities and socioeconomic classes… this epidemic is Justin Bieber. People are actually calling it “Bieber Fever”. That sounds like some sort of plague that will wipe out 1/3 of Europe to me.


Seriously, it’s out of control you guys! Justin Bieber is stalking all of us! This is truly the only logical explanation for how some little kid (who looks suspiciously like a tiny lesbian to me) could overtake the entire globe. He caused a riot in Australia, people! I can’t seem to turn on a TV or the radio without hearing one of his songs, or at very least, the mention of his name. He was on SNL the same night as big-timer Tina Fey for crying out loud ( side note: that sketch they did where he was her student and she was fantasizing about him—totes inappropes, but so funny)!

I am 25 years old and I am as much a victim as anyone else. I love me a good sing-a-long to “one less lonely girl”, but it is simply wrong that this 14 year old is singing that to me! This child can’t make me less lonely! That’s illegal in all 50 states! Stop it Justin Bieber! Stop it now! Please start singing about gym class or taking your crush to nikelcade or something. Don’t sing to me about age-inappropriate love! (example: “Many have called but the chosen is you. Whatever you want shawty, I’ll give it to you”).

I just need you to stop Justin. You stalking everyone is becoming a problem. And for the record, I still don’t even know how to pronounce his last name…Beeber? Byber? Bayber? I don’t friggin know…

Fund Raiser!!

Anyone who knows me knows that I often provide friends with treats to fatten them up. I find baking sort of therapeutic and just all around fun, so when I was watching Days of our Lives on my lunch break and saw an opportunity to help sick kids, I jumped on it! It isn't until May, but I really want to get the word out and hopefully make some money for this cause!
The organization is cookies for kid's cancer. Individuals such as myself host bake sales and give the profits to the organization for pediatric cancer research. Most people have had cancer effect their lives or the lives of loved ones, but when it effects the lives of innocent kids it makes it that much sadder. My Grandma has been kind enough to allow me to use her backyard for a party/bake sale to raise money. I really hope that everyone can make it!! Please bring friends and everyone and anyone you know! My Grandma's backyard is huge and can take the pressure!

When: Saturday May 8, 2010; 11:00 AM -2:00 PM
Where: My Grandma's house (ask for directions)
Why: Because you like cookies and helping sick kids

Bombay House knockoff

I love Indian food. I love it! I would eat at Bombay house on a regular basis if I could afford it... hint: if I could afford it. So a few weeks ago I decided to figure out how to make some Paneer Masala on my own. With confidence that I could do it, and an online recipe in hand, I made my way to the Indian market. Round one was a'ight, so I started messing around with the recipe. After a lot of experimenting and tweaking ( I have made probably 4 batches) I have perfected what I feel is the closest to Bombay House's Paneer Masala. I share my recipe with you now. Enjoy!

Paneer Masala

1 block of Paneer, chopped into squares (you can find this at the Indian market)
1 medium onion, chopped
1 T Garlic
1 T Coriander
1 t Garam Masala (again- Indian market)
1/2 t chili powder (more if you like it really spicy)
1- 28 oz. can of diced tomatoes, pureed
Oil - 3 tbsp
Salt - to taste

Heat a large skillet with 2 T of oil. When the oil is hot, add in the chopped Paneer and cook until browned. Drain the paneer onto a plate with a paper towel to absorb the access oil. Next add the remaining 1 T of oil to the same skillet and brown the chopped onion. Once browned, add the garlic, coriander, garam masala, and chili powder. Cook for about 1 minute or until well blended. Next add in the paneer and the tomatoe paste. Add salt to taste. Cover and let simmer for about 5 minutes. Serve over rice or with naan.

If you want it here's my heart. No strings attached.

I have recently taken up reading my old journals. At this time I wish to take my readers into the land of 15 year old girlhood as I recount the *NSYNC: No strings attached tour laced with "like's" and "totally's". Young girls aren't right.

June 17, 2000

Today Dick Magness got re-married! We invited Ciara and McCall to use our 2 extra tickets to *NSYNC. Of course they did! The wedding was at 6:30 and the concert was at 7:30. Andrew came over and talked w/ Me and the Gill girls! He was all, "I have that bike, only it's the glitz glam II!" to Kendra. They were all "nu-uh" and he finally admitted it was a lie. So at the wedding, in the middle of the ceremony, Rick Pratt said, "we need to get on with the ceremony, we have some girls that need to get to *NSYNC". I was soooo embarrassed!! We ran and changed after the ceremony and got to *NSYNC about 7:35. We fought our way through the crowds to get to the floor, but we needed wrist bands. Turns out that was the crowd! Well a guy came and told us they were doing the bands on the other side too. We got them and went all the way down to the 30th row smack dab in front of the stage!! There was this track going down the isle and it stopped exactly our row, we were all, "I wonder if they come out?" Well the 2 opening acts sang and then this huge cloth dropped that said *NSYNC no strings attached tour 2000 w/ their pics on it. For 20 minutes we waited after like 5 mins these bodies were pressed up against the cloth. Soon they disappeared and finally the song "Got no strings to hold me down" from Pinocchio came on. The cloth dropped and then we heard "baby you're not the only one" (pause) They flew down from the top. "You don't have to be afraid to fall in love" (pause). "I know that you've hurt in the past, but if you want it here's my heart, no strings attached" Fireworks shot to the beats. It was totally cool!!! Then towards the end JC was all, "let's get closer to the audience". They walked and stopped and JC was all, "Closer" until they were on the edge. The stage came up and they came out on the track! Where did they stop? Next to us!!! I was 3 people away from *NSYNC!!! I was SCREAMING! Justin smiled @ me. Chris did sign language I love you back @ me. JC looked and waved at me. Joey looked at my mom like she was nutz! (and she was) oh it was great! They sang "This I promise you" and went backstage and came out and sang "Bye, Bye, Bye". Fireworks shot off any they left! It ROCKED!!!!!!!!

Adios 2009!

So turns out 2009 was not my favorite year, but I made so many new friends and grew more than I knew I could. To celebrate the end of the year, I sent 2009 away in the best way possible: at Bear Lake with a big group of friends for a weekend of fun and relaxation! I'm going to get all cheese ball here for a sec and just say that I love my friends so much! I could not ask for more supportive/incredible/fun people to have in my life. Ok, I'm done being one of those people. I think the pictures from the trip will say more than any words can...



Clearly I was excited that it was midnight.



This is what I mean about the awesome friends.



Before...



After...4 of them ate that monstrosity. It was not right.



This is what the French call "silent karaoke" and it is awesome!


All in all, it was an ideal way to ring in the new year. I can't wait to see what 2010 has in store for me!