Fat Guys

I'm taking a swimming class at the U that just started last week. Even though I know how to swim I signed up for a lower level because the time slot was better. But that's irrelevant to my story other than the fact that there are lots of fat guys in the class that don't swim very well. Bless their hearts for trying to get in shape though...

Half way through the class on Tuesday, Fat guy number one introduced himself from two lanes away. We'll call him Rash Guard. (Who wears rash guards to an indoor lap pool?? answer: fat guys) He said. "I don't think we've met before. What's your name?" After our brief conversation, right before I swam away he left me with this stupid and unnecessary remark:

"They didn't used to be so tough on us fat kids!"

I sort of half-laughed and then I was gone, thinking to myself, "why do all fat guys have to make stupid jokes about their weight?"

Fat guy number two: Tattoo (he has a bunch of random tattoos in random places) came up to me when I was putting my kick board back in the bin. He asked my name and how old I was and when my birthday was (next week!) and what I was planning to do for my birthday and who I was planning on doing it with and which night these plans were for. For the last time! I don't know what I'm doing for my birthday!! And even if I did, why would I tell him about it? did he want an invitation or what? it was awkward and annoying and I was completely uninterested in talking to him.

Then he said "well, happy birthday. I'll probably wish you happy birthday again next week too, so you can look forward to that." yes, Tattoo, I can't wait.

the lesson that I learned that day is that I should never go to swimming class without a ring on my finger.

Tennessee

Last week Daniel and I took a trip down to his old stomping grounds to visit his cousin, Tim, who was recently diagnosed with terminal cancer. Tim wanted to get the family together for a big pig roast. Daniel's other cousin smoked 250 pounds of pork for the occasion. I even got to help pull the pork. It was delicious! (by the way, when I say 'cousin' I mean '3rd cousin'. That's how close his family is out there.) Unfortunately I don't have pictures of the pig roast, but here are pictures from the rest of the trip!

We went climbing twice, once in the Smoky Mountains,

And once in Chattanooga, TN on Sunset Peak.

The boys (4th cousins) did some cliff jumping in Gee Creek. I just watched from a rock because I don't like cliff jumping. Especially in 50 degree water.


This is from the hike up Gee Creek. Tennessee is a beautiful place. It almost looks like a jungle sometimes.

One day we drove up through the Smokies and into Asheville, NC to visit my aunt and uncle. We couldn't have come at a better time. The leaves were all changing and it had just finished raining. The colors were brighter than I had ever seen on trees. I forget how dry Utah really is until I have something like this to compare it to.
This is also from the drive to Asheville. Just a random lake that we passed.


In Asheville we stopped to see the Biltmore mansion (the Vanderbilt's estate). Apparently its pretty incredible but we didn't ever see it because it costs SIXTY DOLLARS PER PERSON to even drive through the estate... so we turned around. We ate out with my aunt, uncle and little cousin and got to see their house-in-progress for the first time since they moved out there. Daniel decided that he wants to live in Asheville. We also got to meet our soon-to-be sister-in-law, Gabby. And we ate at lots of delicious and greasy restaurants (welcome to the south). The trip was a lot of fun. I loved seeing where Daniel grew up and meeting the people out there. We drove so much during the week, visiting Daniel's old friends and such. We put almost 1200 miles on the car we rented... oops.
Its nice to be home now, although I'm sort of dreading going back to school and work.


...and to end the very fabulous week, we hiked Mount Olympus this morning! It was my first time, and holy cow, I am out of shape. I guess that's what a week in the car and greasy food will do.