TIME TO RELAX

I'm here in Moab until Feb. 4th doing nothing but what I want to do! I've been on the go for God knows how long now and it's nice to have a little break. So far I've been highlining 3 days, climbing 1, and resting 2. Tomorrow, I'm headed to Indian Creek to climb with my roommate Trish and hopefully Brent and Canyon as well! I've never been to the Creek and I've only heard amazing things about it. I'm pretty new at Trad climbing, so I will probably be mostly top-roping, but that's okay! I've gotta perfect the art of crack climbing before I can master leading, right?

Anyway! Once the 4th oh so quickly arrives, Mike and I are flying to Germany for the ISPO Trade Show in Munich. We're being flown over for the Slackline Competition mainly, but also to meet everyone and get to know the slackline community around the world!

I've heard that there will be no girls competition, which is a bummer. But, we've been welcomed to compete with the men (Elli and I, the only two women who want to compete). I am in NO way expecting to make it that far, but I hope to do well and pull off all my tricks! Mike says the most exciting part about being at the ISPO is mingling with everyone and learning new tricks and combos! I'm excited for the experience, especially because I've never been to the mainland of Europe. This will be my first experience in a country that speaks a foreign language (besides Canada, but most of them speak English as well as French).

Micki Sending!

So, back to highlining. The past few days we had our friends Hayden, Brad, and Micki visiting us here in Moab. We rigged 4 highlines total and had a blast out there rigging and walking. Micki and I rigged a 22 footer together, and having never sent a highline before, walked it like a champ!!! It was so awesome to see. Brad got out on it to tape it, and he also got out there for a few attempts but wasn't able to overcome what we call "the fear". Next time, Brad!!! Hayden, Myself, Mike, and Ryan all sent the 120 footer that we rigged which was very exposed in a breathtaking yet terrifying way. I'm super impressed by everybody and was very proud of myself as well.

I did the best I ever have on a line of that length, meaning that I wasn't scared, and my mind wasnt cluttered with random stupid things like it normally is. I was competely focused, relaxed, confident, and precise with every movement. It felt amazing and I can't wait to get back out there again!! What I want to rig next is a 150-160 footer that I failed at in November. I hate using the word failed, but I just couldn't get myself into that zone, the necessary zone you need to be in to send a line that scares you. But, I'm ready now!!!

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals

Best show ive seen......EVER.

Ive decided to re-evaluate my life a bit and focus on more important things. For the last two years I have been seriously focusing on myself (meaning on my athletics, my job, and my happiness). But, as 2011 has rolled around Ive decided that there are much more important and valuable things that I need to pay attention to. Friends, is the first. I do not want to be that friend that is really hard to keep in contact with and i sometimes feel that I am that friend. That being said, my efforts are going to go towards spending much more time with the people that i love in my life, and calling them! texting them! etc! My friends are what put the color in my life, and I cannot put that aside.

Secondly, I really want to GIVE. I feel like sometimes I get caught up in what I am receiving. I think its part of the human existence; overcoming the ego and wanting everything for ourselves. Ive found that part of me poking out a little bit too much and I want to focus more on giving to others instead. I feel so much better after seeing someone smile when i've helped them, or gotten them a present, or just said something nice. I find a lot of joy in that, quite possibly even more joy than I feel when I receive something for myself. Id love to encourage all of you who took the time to read my blog to try giving to others more than you normally do and see how your life changes for the better :)

I am currently in Salt Lake City for one of the biggest Outdoor Retailer Shows in the US (if not THE biggest). We all just finished setting up our booth today and are excited for the first day tomorrow. Its always a blast showing people slacklining for the very first time and seeing how intrigued and excited they get! I'll be sure to post some pics of the show.

After the show I'm off to Moab until I fly out to Germany for the ISPO Trade Show in Munich! I'm so excited to experience Germany (it will be my first trip to a country that speaks a foreign language!!) AND I'm excited to compete in the competition! Apparently there will be no girls competition so I will have to compete against the guys, eek!!! Pictures soon :)

Surf Show Jan. 2011!

Highlines I would like to attempt in 2011

• The Frog, Moab, UT - 70 ft
• Taft Point, Yosemite, CA - 100 ft.
• Long Lost Arrow Spire, Yosemite, CA - 110 ft.
• Mt. Tam Highline, Marin, CA - 115 ft. (ish)
• Yosemite Falls Line, Yosemite, CA - 128 ft.
• Long Monkey Face, Smith Rock, OR - 130 ft.
• Astrodome, Joshua Tree, CA - 141 ft.
• Shakes McCoy, Moab, UT - 150 ft.
• Upper Slack, Boulder, CO - 160 ft.