m a i y a h

First Shred of the Season

2011-12-29T14:18:00.000-08:00

Well, the complaining is over everyone! I finally got to snowboard. Tirza and I went with her good friend Pavel, who is insanely funny and seems to have a story about everything. I also got to try out my new Nitro which was sick! I fell in love with it the minute I strapped into my bindings and stood up. As far as the riding, it was icy, it was cold, and it was windy, but I didn't care. There's something about being on the mountain that is so peaceful to me. I was just stoked that I was there! No matter how horrible the conditions are, I hold a sense of loyalty to Brian Head. After all, that's where I learned the wonderful sport! Gotta give props to Brooke and Alexis, of course. They're the ones who took me down Giant Steps when I was three, in my huge white puffy coat. I am convinced they made me a better rider. They helped me face my fears, before I even knew I had any.
So, here are some pics from the first ride of the season ;).

Watched Over and Forever Humbled

2011-11-01T17:14:00.001-07:00

I am such a failure at blogging! I'm don't have a husband, I don't have kids, I don't have some sort of life threatening disease, and sometimes I am pretty sure I don't have a life. And yet, people WITH those things blog more than I do. So, I am (half) determined to change that.

If this specific post sounds semi-depressing, it's because I'm listening to Someone Like You by Adele. So, it's her fault.

It was about a month and a half ago that I had a pretty incredible experience. Some of you might have already heard about it through Facebook or by my mom's horrifying mass text that made people think I was dead. If not, here is the complete story.

The Accident: This all began when my oldest sister Brooke was moving to Korea. I wanted to drive to Vegas to see her off. So, I went down for the weekend. Instead of leaving Sunday night like I usually do, I decided to leave Monday morning so I could spend one more night with her. BAD IDEA. We didn't go to bed until 1 a.m. That's what happens when you're in the Grant house. So, I woke up at 4 a.m. and started driving at 5 a.m. With barely 4 hours of sleep, I started driving to Provo. I had to make it there by 12:00 for school. I was exhausted the whole way and was totally dozing off (I decided not to tell my parents about that part) but I didn't stop because I was so paranoid about missing class. So right outside of Nephi (exit 223 to be exact) I fell asleep. My eyes were probably shut for 2-3 seconds, which is all it took. The vibration of the car going off the road is what woke me up. So I was jerked awake, grabbed the wheel, turned to the right, and started spinning out. I went up a hill (literally, UP) and then rolled three times. My cruise was set at 83 MPH. So the first recollection I have was waking up and spitting dirt out of my mouth. I started looking for my phone to call my Dad but I couldn't find it anywhere. So, I opened my door and walked out to try and find it. I didn't even realize at the time that i just straight up opened my door and walked out... Crazy. So I'm looking around for my phone and can't find it. Then I decided I needed to wave down some cars. THREE cars passed me. This one guy finally saw what happened and slammed on his breaks. Long story short (too late), I used his phone to call my Dad. I told him what happened and then when I looked back at my car, I started crying. Then, 4 feet away in the dirt I found my phone. So, the guys called the cops and the ambulance and they all got there pretty fast. The adrenaline was pumping pretty fast and I was in shock so I didn't realize that I had been holding my head the whole time, until the EMTs asked if my head hurt. I also got a really bad seat belt burn on my chest. So, they put me in a neck brace, on the stretcher, and took me to the hospital. They actually had to convince me to go because, apparently, I said "No I'm fine! I just have a little head ache." Yikes. So they gave me a CT scan to check for any internal bleeding and I was good. So at this point, after the scan and everything, one of my sisters friends from SLC came to be with me at the hospital. Also, coincidently, my friend and her mom were on their way to Arizona. My mom called them, so they came to the hospital. So, 3 hours later, they finally released me. I literally walked about 5 steps and almost fell over. My friend had to catch me right before I hit the floor. The whole left side of my head, from about the temple to the right above the back of my neck, was extremely swollen. And I had a concussion. My family, of course, had already jumped in the car when they heard what happened and so I met them in Beaver with my friend.
The Aftermath: For the next two weeks I couldn't lift myself out of bed. Every time I would sit up, the room would spin for 30-45 seconds. It was just really bad. I was also really sore for about a week, then when that wore off, I realized the real pain in my back and spine. It still hurts to this day. I wake up every morning, and all throughout the day, with horrible head aches. My back, shoulders, and spine feel like... I can't even explain it.
Many close friends and family came to see me after the accident. That made me feel like the most special girl in the world. Everyone kept telling me that I had "unfinished business here" or "some important work to do yet". That was probably the biggest eye opener for me. Before the accident, I had been struggling with finding my purpose. I felt unaccomplished. Unimportant. And just plain bored. I told my mom that while I was laying in the ambulance, the only thing I could think of was how badly I wanted to see and hug everyone I have EVER known. Seriously, everyone. As soon as I felt that desire, I realized how grateful I was that I still had the opportunity to do that. Then I started crying. I don't think I have ever felt closer to God than I was during that ordeal. Having an experience where you almost lose everything, truly makes you put things in perspective. It makes you realize what is truly important. Friends. Family. Love. It's not about what you're doing in your life or what you haven't done yet. It's about making sure that people know how much you love them, and staying close to people who love you. When everything else disappears, that's all you have.
The Blessing: It's a miracle I'm alive. Every single door and window was broken out, ripped apart, and dented except mine. I was SO watched over. Everything I did, in that 5 or 6 seconds it took me to crash, saved my life. It wasn't me though. JESUS TOOK THE WHEEL! But seriously, he did. As soon as I knew I was crashing, I had this feeling like "Keep your hands on the wheel. Hold on." If I would have let go, my arms would've been broken and cut to pieces: miracle. My airbags didn't deploy, which would've caused broken ribs, bad bruising, and cuts: miracle. I swerved to the right, instead of the left, into oncoming traffic: miracle. If I would have fallen asleep a fourth of a mile before I did, I would have gone into a ravine: miracle.
To everyone who came to my rescue, thank you. I would not take back this experience for anything.
Being able to see my family again, embracing them, and seeing the smiles on their faces, was the greatest gift I could have ever received.

Who do you think would win a fight between ...

2011-03-30T10:49:00.000-07:00

Who do you think would win a fight between a wolverine and a cougar?

This is the question that my best friend Mallory presented me with when I was planning on going to BYU. As I was waiting for my acceptance letter from them, she had begun attending UVU. For the next month or so, she was trying to convince me to go to UVU. I never really wanted to go to BYU in the first place, and UVU was sounding better and better everyday! Not only from Mallory, but everyone I spoke with said what a great school it is and how much they love it! I figured, "Oh well, I'll just have to stick with BYU. If I don't like it, I can always transfer."

Truth is, I really really really wanted to go!! But, I trusted that everything would work out the way it was supposed to. So, on February 24th, I received an email from BYU that said something along the lines of,
"We think you suck and don't want you to come to our school. Thanks anyways for spending days and money on our stupid application that was pretty much pointless because we're sure you had nothing better to do. Good luck!"

I just smiled, deleted the email, and called Brooke. She was quite shocked that I didn't get in, but I reassured her that I knew it wasn't right. I called my parents and told them. They both pretty much said "I'm so sorry you didn't get in honey." But honestly, I couldn't have been happier! So, on February 25th, I applied to UVU. And on February 26th, I was accepted. Now that's what I call fate!

So, if you were wondering the answer to my question ... Wolverine totally wins ;).

Snowboarding is ...

2011-01-28T11:38:00.000-08:00

Snowboarding is legit. In fact, it's almost too legit. Just in case you didn't know. I'm loving every minute of it and also learning more and more everyday. It definitely has it's challenges. Sometimes I just want to quit, go home, and snuggle up with a nice cup of hot cocoa, but I keep pushing myself, usually until I can't feel my face or legs anymore. Most of the time it's my face. I have quickly come to learn my strengths and weaknesses, which has helped a lot in deciding what the next step is. So, what is the next step you ask? Boardercross. I definitely think this is going to be a good way to start off. It could be this season, maybe the next, but I am really looking forward to it! P.S. For those of you who don't know, boardercross is basically motocross on a snowboard. For those of you who don't know what motocross is ... Go get some help. Well that's my update for now!

What I have to look forward to every day ;)

Bye bye Vegas!!

2010-09-09T00:33:00.000-07:00

Well! This is it. I'm off to Utah to begin my big adventure! It's about time, right? Well I can honestly say I'm sad about leaving my home town. Especially the people in it. Hopefully my parents and Dassy don't party too hard without me. I've got some serious mixed feelings about leaving. Nervous? Yes. Scared? Mm only of the Utarded Mormons. Ready to chase my dream? YES! I am so ready to see what's out there waiting for me. The next big wait: snowboarding season! On top of all that, I'm so grateful for the people that I have behind me. To my sisters: you already know I'm going to be calling you pretty much every day. "Hey how do you turn on the stove?", "Soo how do you do a load of whites?", "Okay which way is Center Street?" Just kidding. I'm not THAT retarded. I hope? ;)
Well ... car is packed and waiting for a driver! Peace out Sin City! You gave me some great times!
<3

P.S. I WISH i was leaving on a friggen jet plane!

Peace NIKKA!!

2010-06-23T18:21:00.000-07:00

So ... guess what? I GRADUATED!! Holla!! It finally happened. Many people came up to me and asked, "Are you excited to graduate?!" My response was "I've been ready to graduate since the first day of Freshman year!!" Seriously ... What kind of question is that? Anyways ... graduation day was a blast. My whole family was there to see it! Even though i came insanely close to tearing my vocal chords from screaming, it was well worth it :). So, Class of 2010, here's to us! We did it!! :)

Did someone sayyyy ... shredding?!

2010-02-27T13:16:00.001-08:00

Hello all. I apologize for the long absence. I haven't had much to talk about! Until ... now :). I began snowboarding around age 8, thanks to the coolest sisters in the world. They have taught me everything i know, on and off the snow :). Snowboarding has always just been a fun family hobby for me, until the 2009/2010 season. The first time i went this season was without my family. I had planned a nice day trip with my friend. I told my sisters how, out of habit, i would look behind me on the lift, expecting my family to be right there behind me. Just like they have been behind me my whole life. So that day, i decided to break free and just ride and ride. It was like nothing i had ever experienced. I thought to myself, "Where the heck did this come from?" It had finally hit me. I got 'the fever' as Alexis called it :). That night i went home and googled professional female snowboarders. In fact, for the next week, i was googling. Eventually, i came across a girl named Torah Bright. She is considered one of the best female snowboarders of all time. As i read her biography on Wikipedia, i found out she is a member of the church. That was all it took. Again, I thought to myself, "She is Mormon AND a girl. I totally got this!" She is officially my hero and my inspiration. A few weeks later my dad and I had to go on the Priest/Laurel snowboarding trip. While everyone was on the bunny hill, papa grant and I decided to hit up Giant Steps :). We were riding up the lift together and he says to me, "Maiyah, you need to get a helmet." Shocked at the random comment, I replied "Huh? Why?" He said "You go really fast. And your better than any girl up here. I think you should start competing." Whoa. That's when it all came out. I told him everything. And after that, i sent a mass text out to my sisters and brother. Of course, everything that came back was the support and love they've always given me. My brother Keill's reply was, "It isn't all fun all the time ... competing and practicing... you're gonna eat major shit, get knocked out, be sore like you've never experienced...but if that's worth beating everyone else and standing on a podium for you, then i say go for it. You only live once and your youth is way too short." So, after careful consideration and lots of prayers, I have come to the conclusion that I am going to start competing. Honestly, I'm not sure where or when to start, but I'm ready to do anything and everything it takes to get on that podium. Hopefully, in one piece :).

D O D G E R S

2009-09-07T10:18:00.000-07:00

So as everyone knows me and Brooke are like THE biggest Dodgers fans. I blame her for my addiction :). She always brought home Dodger hats and sweatshirts and other fun stuff that she bought for me! After that, there was no turning back. I became a Dodgers fan. So, I thought I would pay a tribute to them. And to my future husband ... Andre Either. This is our year ... GO GET 'EM BOYS!!

And of course, the Brooklyn Dodgers :)

Class of 2010

2009-09-06T18:14:00.000-07:00

Well, this is it! It's finally my year! I have waited long for this moment. I'm finally a Senior!! I never thought it would feel this good to only have one year of high school left! I gotta say ... I am LOVING it!!! It's also kind of sad. I'm gonna miss everyone! I know, I know i'll probably see them again! But not everyday! Every year, on the first day of school, since 7th grade, I have sat next to my friend Maddy in homeroom (because our last names are alphabetical). As I sat down next to her this year, I thought to myself ... This is it. The last year! I leaned over to her and said "Dude, since 7th grade we ..." and before I even finished my sentence she says, "... have been in the same homeroom! I know! And now its our last time!" Haha so cheesy, I know, but so true!! There are so many memories that I have and will always remember! So this is it. Class of 2010. A.K.A, One-Oh Fo Sho, Generation X, "You're my hero class One Zero!" and my favorite, The Class of Twenty-Ten :). Can I get a Woot, woot?!!

Photography

2009-05-19T19:55:00.000-07:00

Hello all. So, obviously, i want to be a nature photographer. I took these pics for a project in my photography class. Me and Nanny Goat took a little mother daughter day trip up to Mount Charleston in Lee Canyon. Surprisingly, i had a BLAST! And i got some awesome shots! So check 'em out :D.

World Traveler!!

2009-05-16T16:42:00.000-07:00

I totally copied this off of Brooke's page. Couldn't help myself :).

View my profile

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Prom 2009!!

2009-05-04T17:52:00.000-07:00

On saturday i went to prom! It was awesome! From hiking at Red Rock to a delicious dessert at Cheesecake Factory, it was a great day. I was definitely impressed by my date :). I had so much fun and so glad i went! So here are some pics!!

Colorado!!

2009-04-20T13:24:00.000-07:00

Soo I'm trying to figure out where i should go to college. I know i have a year left to waste my life sitting in ridiculous, pathetic, frustrating high school but I just figured i would get a head start! Now as most of you know, i am all about cold weather, mountains, and big adventure :). So one day i was daydreaming in English (trying to tune out my psycho teacher) and then out of no where ... BAM! LIGHT BULB!! Colorado!! Holla!! So, being so intrigued, i decided to do some research. I found two schools that i am thinking about attending :). Wow i feel so grown up. Okay the first one is Colorado State University. It's in a place called Fort Collins, which kind of scares me cuz for some reason pilgrims pop into my head when i hear that name. The next school is the University of Colorado at Boulder. Now i know i don't want to go to Denver just because I'm over the whole "big city" thing. Plus i have heard that Boulder is BEAUTIFUL. Minus the pot smoking hippies. So it comes down to this ... i could either be a buffalo ... or a ram. Hmm. Decisions, decisions. Since i can't decide, i made a poll and you get to vote!! Yay! So get to it!! :)

Or ...

AZ Adventures

2009-04-12T10:29:00.000-07:00

This is officially my first blogging experience ... awesome. So last night i arrived in Las Vegas after hanging out with my totally amazing sister Tirza in Tempe for a whole week! I was very sad to leave but i had a great time chilling with her and getting to know her friends. Soo, here are some pics from my time in AZ!!

Hiking CamelbackJust for the record, I have a complete anti-alcoholic view of life, but i just couldn't help myself :). Put a little captain in it!!

BAM!!

This is our little friend. We found him attacking a flower. His name is Oscar.

I have made a totally legit observation that wherever Tirza goes, hearts appear out of NOWHERE!

What rowing does to Tirza ... Aw :)

This is us on the way back from Enrichment. Never again will I be forced to go. Never again.
Pei Wei!!
My last night :(

Leaving for the airport
So sad :(.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Miguel!
Airport!