Yosemite

This post is a little delayed- but the pictures are amazing regardless.

For the fourth of July Breanne, my mom, dad, Aaron and I all went up to Yosemite National Park. Apparently I've been before but mom said I was 6 or something- so I have no memories of these trips. Anyways, the trip went very successfully. No casualties. And Breanne and I hiked to some pretty AMAMZING spots! As a family we would take the little stroll up to a looking point and them Breanne and I would break off and go hike down the river or up a waterfall or through the trees. It was so much fun!

And Breanne and I are now determined to hike Half Dome sometime soon =)

Sky Diving!

Today, August the 25th of 2009, I, Megan Kalynn Metcalf went sky diving! I jump out of a plane a 13,000 feet!!! I then free fell at 120 MPH for over a minute until I reached 5,000 feet, where the parachute was deployed! I actually got to steer the parachute part of the way... and I asked my instructor who I was attached to (beforehand) if he would do some tricks. So while we were in free fall he did probably fifteen to twenty 360's! (I can't even calculate what that would be!) And he did a bunch of this crazy spiral plummeting stuff once the parachute was out. It was a 20 minute plane ride up, where the anticipation and excitement built. Breanne was freaking out the whole time- she looked near to tears and must have said 3 different prayers on the way up. Then we got connected to our instructor and got ready to go out. I was the last one out so I watched as each group before me seemed to be sucked out of the plane... THEN we got to the open door where the wind was so loud and looking out I could see Mexico, San Diego and the Pacific Ocean. That's when the fear really hit me. I don't know how many times I screamed at the top of my lungs "OH MY GOSH!!!" So with my toes hanging off the edge, my instructor inched forward so that I was then dangling out of the plane and he held on for a split second longer....... and then all I felt was the rush of the wind and my stomach clenching up at the knowledge of my body dropping from a plane at over 13,000 feet! Free falling was the most incredible feeling EVER! I was dropping down with the wind in my face and my instructor doing 360's. I wish it would have lasted longer than a minute! And once the parachute came out we glided down and I had time to appreciate the gorgeous scenery around me... (that is of course when my instructor wasn't spinning us around seemingly uncontrollably) Once we got close to the ground all I had to do was lift up my legs and let my instructor do the work for my landing! Then I set my feet on the ground and it was all over. He unattached me and I walked back to my mom, dad, Breanne, and Haley. That's about when the nausea kicked in... I felt wonderful during the whole experience, but all of the spinning that my instructor did (that no one else did) -because I told him I wanted him to go all out and do tricks- really had my stomach going. We waited in the parking lot ten minutes before I finally threw up. Once I got it out of my system I was good to go and we headed home from the perfect weather and most incredible experience of my life! =)

I can't wait to do it again! Anyone wanna come with me?!

Kayaking in San Luis Obispo

So this weekend I went up to San Luis Obispo with Suni to visit Brittany and meet her boyfriend. We had a ton of fun! We made cookies, went the the movies, played some pick up basketball games, and had a pancake breakfast. But one of my favorite parts had to be when we went kayaking in the ocean! I had never been before so I was a little nervous, but it didn't take long to get used to it... It was fun paddling around and weaving through rocks and everything. We must have seen about ten seals. They would come right up near our kayak and swim around. The only part I didn't like was swimming over the seaweed- in case you didn't know I have a bit of a seaweed phobia. Long story short I was in tears from us going through it and we decided to turn around and head another direction. But other than that traumatic part it was a blast! I really want to go again soon!!! =)

Quite The Weekend

This last weekend was a ton of fun. After Grandma's 90th birthday celebration we got to relax just a little bit more. It was a fun day with mom, dad, and Breanne. We went to the beach, had some more Red's BBQ, and of course- our Memorial Day is never complete without going to one of the war memorial cemeteries to pay our respects... But before that we went down to Huntington Beach to catch some rays. Mind you it was so crowded that once we found a place to park we walked a whopping 22 blocks to the beach! Such a long way to go... and as you can see from the picture below, once we made it to the sand we were exhausted. We just set up camp and slept for a while =)

Also, while we were down in Long Beach (after dropping Aaron off at the airport) We decided to walk around. We went to this little sea port village and saw where the Queen Mary was... It's a cute little place! (This is the only part of Long Beach I've really ever been in... I'm assuming this isn't the LBC that Snoop Dogg raps about!)

The weather was beautiful, the company was the best, and I didn't have to go in to work. All in all it was a great day! =)

The Big 9 OH!

So today was grandma Metcalf's 90th birthday. And to celebrate we had a huge family party at our house... All of grandmas children (my aunt's and uncle's) were here but maybe only 1/3 of her grand kids and great grand kids made it. Needless to say there were TONS of pictures taken. Dennis has all the good ones on his "professional" camera (it was like Vegas all over again if you know what I mean). Anyways, we had Red's BBQ deliver, Joan brought an amazing cake, and Dennis made a great video of grandma's life-It was so wonderful, I teared up... (and he said copies were to come...) I wish we could get the family together more often because it was so great to get together with everyone and have such a fun time! (what are those things called?... oh yeah! Family Reunions! What a novel idea. We should give that a try!) Anyways, all of those hours of slaving away in the yard since I've moved home paid off (I seriously can't count how many hours were put into this)! ... What's our next big backyard adventure? Breanne's Prom picture's! T minus 6 days!!! (I guess I'll be slaving away every day this week again to get the yard perfect for our next event)! =)

Say Yes To The Dress

Prom is on Saturday May 30th, and Breanne is going with a boy from another ward (his name is Josh Hayes)

So ever since I've been home I've been trying to help Breanne find a Prom dress... we went to several malls with no success. We finally resorted to going to the Fashion District in downtown L.A. (side note: it's a bit sketch) Anyways, we spent over three hours and went in nearly 25 shops. In the end we finally went back to one of the first stores we were in and trying on (what I think was) an amazing dress. They had it on display in white so it looked like a total wedding gown... but we tried it on in this really pretty royal/teal-ish color. I definitely fell in love, and it looks amazing on Breanne! Now all we have to do is add a jacket and she'll be ready to go!

I'm Amazed!

This man is seriously amazing! This is a video of Jon Schmidt. He composed a version of "Love Story" and combined it with "Viva La Vida" and plays it on the piano and cello. It's seriously the best thing I have ever heard and could listen to it for hours on end!!!

Thanks Jensa for showing to me =)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0v3d6SFcDys

Home Sweet Home

Well, I'm back in good ole Simi Valley again. I got home on Saturday and have been busy ever since. I started my job again at the Boys and Girls Club on Monday. It's pretty crazy, but I need the money =) I'm not exactly sure what my plans are for the rest of the summer- all I know is I have to get to the beach as much as possible, hopefully get to Magic Mountain, work out for volleyball (and get my vertical back) and relax... we'll see how much of that actually happens though...!

Angel's Landing

Last weekend I went to Zion National Park and hiked Angel's Landing. I have a TON of pictures of it on facebook but thought I'd put a few up here since I haven't really done much since then... Anyways, here's a few stats about the hike:

• It's a 5 hour avg hike (We got up in under an hour and a half and gat back in under two.)



• It's over a 5 mile hike



• The peak is at 5785 feet



• The hardest thing I've ever done



• So freaking steep!



• Most amazing view



• Sheer cliffs at high elevations while hiking on a narrow fin. Not suggested for children or those with a fear of heights. Avoid standing near the edge at all times! Do not hike the trail when it is wet, storming, or when high winds are present.

http://www.zionnational-park.com/zion-angels-landing-trail.htm

Handicapped No More

I just wanted to let you all know that although I haven't needed it since November- my handicap pass just expired. Looks like its back to being a normal pedestrian... parking in the back, waking up earlier for class, and not getting stares from people who are wondering why I am parked in that spot! =(

Another Trip to California

Sorry these took so long to get up... but I went home for Spring Break and brought down some of my friends. It was a jam packed first couple of days. They stayed from Saturday til Tuesday and and hung out with my family and friends for the rest of the break. In those first few days we went to Santa Monica Pier, Rodeo Drive, L.A. temple, Malibu, Downtown Hollywood, City Walk, and Magic Mountain (well... they went to M.M. on Sunday while I went to church) =)

4 days!

Only four days left until Spring Break! I'm bringing down six of my friends and we are gonna be doing quite a bit on this trip. But we're cramming it all in in just a few days because they will all be leaving on tuesday and I will stay the rest of the week and hang out with my family and friends! =) I think I'm only there for eight days, but it's a much needed break and I am SO ready to get out of Cedar City and all this cold weather!

My 8's

I saw this on my friends blog and decided to give it a go!

8 shows I love:
1) John and Kate Plus 8
2) Little People Big World
3) 24
4) Gilmore girls
5) The Office
6) Gossip Girl
7) Extreme Home Make Over
8) What I Like About You

8 restaurants I love:
1) Red's
2) Olive Garden
3) Hermie's (in Cedar City)
4) Paul's Italian Villa
5) In-N-Out
6) Cheesecake Factory
7) Tomato Street (in Cour d'Alene, Idaho)
8) The Old Spaghetti Factory

8 things I did yesterday:
1) Lost my phone
2) Went to class
3) Reffed old women's volleyball
4) Played back row with my team at practice!
5) Conducted our bi-weekly R.S. meeting
6) Ate Top Raman
7) Checked my facebook
8) Went to bed at 3am with Breanne on the phone because I was scared =(

8 things I like about summer:
1) The Beach
2) No school
3) Get to hang out with friends from high school
4) Multiple Magic Mountain trips
5) Get to be with family
6) I guess making money has to be on this list... can't forget the summer job!
7) The heat/ sunshine (I'm so sick of cold and snow right now!)
8) No bills to pay!

8 things I do in my spare time (when I have it!):
1) Read read read!
2) Play volleyball
3) Catch up on TV show episodes I've missed
4) Check my facebook/email
5) Bake treats for people
6) Scrapbook
7) Write in my journal
8) Clean our disgusting apartment

NOTE!!!!

NOTE: The clean bedroom below is the bedroom where earlier today a man broke into my apartment shoved me aside by my door and made his way through the window just to have the cops bust through my door with their guns pointed at me- yelling and then tore through my apartment to see if I was harboring a fugitive. Needless to say I cried for hours and am still shooken up. LOCK YOUR DOORS!!!! (even during the day time) I will also be carrying my pepper spray with me 24/7. Too bad I didn't have it in my hands when he came bursting through my door!

My Own Room...

So one of my favorite things about having my own room is that I don't have to please anyone. It of course came in handy once I tore my ACL and was crying every night and mom stayed with me and took care of me... But now it's main benefit is that I can let it look like this and not have anyone yelling at me to clean it up! ... I am of course a neat freak in our kitchen and living room- but definately not my bedroom! So I enjoyed letting my room look like a disaster area for about 5 days until I could no longer stand it and HAD to clean it up!