Footloose

I don't know if y'all knew, but for my Senior Project I was a part of the school musical which happened to be Footloose my senior year (Side note: It's going to be West Side Story Bailey's senior year and I told him I'd disown him if he wasn't a part of the production). And as I was going through some pictures on my computer I found these beauties and I had to share them.

These are all of me (and the cast) being all churchy. I'm such a good housewife it's ridiculous. In numbers 1 and 2, I'm standing next to my 'daughter'. Funny how they cast the two red heads huh? Too bad the dad is Asian. hahaha Notice in number 3 I have no shoes on and my hair is significantly smaller than in all the other pictures. That's because it wasn't a performance - just wanted to clarify that I'm not that tacky. 

 Amazing AMAZING cast. See photo number 4 for my trashy hoe wig. It's blond with black roots. Hot, amiright? Some days I wanted to rip their throats out but mainly I loved this cast like a family.

Me and the hubs (In the play. Gotta clarify for people googling this and looking for BYU married students. Awk.) 1. End scene that I couldn't look him in the eye during because I just started cracking up because I couldn't even take him seriously and it was supposed to be a tender moment and there were just so many things wrong with it that it had to be altered. 2. Me, sucking up as usual. This is the picture that was in the paper. And the school bulletin. And everywhere else. Couldn't find a better one? Really? 3. That's me in a robe and silky jammies. Oh and you can't forget the night cap. Just so you know I sang a solo in that outfit and freaking rocked it. I'm talking tears, people. Check it out here. 

1. Me just doing me thang.

2. (going down) That's the gym scene - Shawn took his shirt off. And Faith talked about periods.

3. BROOKIE. That's my cheer buddy for lifeeee.

4. Coree. That's the face she gave me every morning in seminary. Just kidding. Not really.

5. Me again. I just think it's such a glamour shot even with my stage makeup on. I think I yell at the hubs in this scene. 

6. Coree, Jesse, and Kelcie. They're just so cute. They did the musical even with basketball AND softball. #dedication

To those in Lake County

The end.

There's really no other way to describe it. It's just the end. The end of the beginning I suppose. Haley and I are busy deep cleaning and packing and whatnot. Cleaning out the shoebox we call home. And that's what it's become - the 3103, Provo, BYU - home. I know I'm going "home" to California. But I'm going there with suitcases and a set date to come back. And I'm okay with it. I waited for this day with anticipation since day one. And I can't believe it's here and if I'm being honest, I wish it wasn't. I could sit here and make a list of all the things I wish I would've/could've done before I left, things that I could add to the Freshman Year Bucket List. Instead, I'm just so grateful for the things that I was able to do and accomplish while I was here. And now I sit in anxiously awaiting when I can get back to P-town. It'll be a fantastic end to my summer with Camp Kesem and then swinging right in to RA training. Oh yeah guys, I'm going to be an RA! Next Fall and Winter semesters I'll be living in Freshman On-Campus housing so that they'll pay for my things (housing and meal plan) and so I can help some girls navigate their Freshman year. That'll be interesting!

As for this summer, I'm going to try and figure out what I want to do with my life. I have a few ideas, and I know I have time, but really feel like I can do it. It's a "me summer". I have a few goals in mind, a job lined up, and some quality reading time to catch up on. And I can't tell you how great it all sounds.

This year

It's almost over 

WHAT.

Wasn't it just yesterday that I sat in my room balling my eyes out with Lady K because we had no friends and hated it here and wanted to be home and missed our family and the sky was falling and the world was coming to an end?

First night at school, say what?

 That was eight months ago.

And now the thought of going home is killing me. I mean I have the BEST people in my life - hands down. H, A, K, L, and the plethora of boys lining up at my door (don't even get me started on how many marriage proposals I've had this year, I mean really*). And now I've gotta go home and put all that on hold and work and make money and do some leadership stuff on the side because that's kinda my thing. I just got settled in and started enjoying, well, everything and now I'm out. And 99.9% of the people I met won't be here next year - THOSE FREAKING MISSIONS. Good thing I love this Church as much as I do and I'm okay with it. I also don't want to be struck down by lightning...

I feel like I've learned a lot. No so much in my classes but those were cool, too. More about me. And I realized how much I love this time in my life and how I don't want it to end and I don't want to grow up and I want to be able to stay up all night and jump around until we see the sun, you feel me?

It's just been some great time. Some awesome, fantastic, truly wonderful memories. And this 3-month break is going to SUUUUUUCK.

I now present to you: A Year in Pictures (The Condensed Version)

First Friends! Love them always and forever. 

Cutest Roommates you ever did see. #Jackpot

First (and LAST) time hiking the Y.

First Homecoming! True Blue. Thanks for making me go, BM.

First time having all four seasons! (Sometimes all in one day... Oh Utah.)

First real winter. Guys, I'm still alive. Shocking to even me!

Christmas at Temple Square with my lovers. Oh, that night. Memories. 

Ice skating! Still my dream date. Take note, boys, I'm easy to please.

It felt like a perfect night to dress up like hipsters. But it was really cold...

Did you know if you sit in the right place at lunch time in the CougarEat approximately 2012839201438247 people will come to talk to you about country dancing and hungry face competitions and BYU/SA?

Just a mid-week drive to Salt Lake. Gotta look hot, you know what I'm saying?

*Yeah, no that's a joke. So sorry for the disappointment. But I made it through my first year without a ring on it! Yes, it can be done! Actually, none of my friends got engaged this year. #foreveraloneattheCannonCenter

Things like these

First of all, click here.

Did you click it? Yes?

If you just watched a crappily recorded video of a few kids dressed in purple doing the Harlem Shake, you just watched something I'm very proud of.
I wasn't a part of it, I didn't witness it, and I wasn't there. But when I saw it I was touched.

Those are kids at my high school - Clear Lake High School.

They're supporting Relay for Life, an event that raises money for cancer research and funding for cancer patients through the American Cancer Society.

And they got involved. Two years in a row, CLHS has been the host of the event. And participation has skyrocketed, funds increase every year, and I am continually amazed.

I'm so grateful to have come from such a wonderful place where people are so giving and teach their children to be giving. They recognize needs in the community and seek to fill them. That's something I have yet to find here at BYU and I feel few people could ever truly understand the impact of that small town.

I'm loving my new life here in Provo, but there isn't a day that goes by where I'm not thankful for my little lakeside town in Northern California that taught me some of the most important values in my life.

CLHS IN THE NEWS

Operation Tango Mike
Photo Credit: Ginny Craven

CLHS Grads Helping at OTM
Photo Credit: Ginny Craven

Credit: CLHS Newsletter

Credit: CLHS Newsletter

Paint the Stands Pink - Breast Cancer Awareness
Credit: CLHS Website

Reflection

For every paper I've written in my Writing 150 class, we had to complete a reflection on the process of writing our paper and the challenges and successes that came because of it.
Well, seeing as it's the end of my first semester of college (!), I thought it might be appropriate to reflect on my challenges and successes in this latest chapter of my life.

First, I have now lived on my own for four months. HATE IT. There is nothing better than going home, eating something homemade, having someone do your laundry, and not having to plan everything on your own. But, there are positives. I don't have to have someone plan my every minute (Mom, if you only knew how I spent my time here...), and I'm learning to be independent. Baby steps, for sure, but I'm doing it.

Second, I have a new family. I did the impossible and made new friends. Seeing my brothers/bulldogs over break was one of the highlights of my life, no joke. But there was a part of me that couldn't wait to get back to P-town to see Kenzi and Amber - my sisters - and all the other wonderful/not-so-wonderful people here. What a relief to know that, yes, it can be done! I can live outside of Lake County!

Third, I'm not engaged, dating someone, or planning on dating someone. Take that all you people who said I'd come to BYU and be engaged after a semester because
    a. That's what Mormons do
    b. That's what BYU is for.
    c. It didn't matter where I went to school because I really was only going to meet my future husband (MRS degree, obviously)
And that's all I'm going to say about that.

Fourth, I have cried more in the last four months than anytime I can remember. There were the times when I missed my boys. There were the times when I was so stressed about classes I couldn't see straight. There were the times when all I wanted was to be home where I didn't have to worry about money anymore! There were the times when I couldn't make up my mind about the future (a scary place by the way). And there were the times when I just wanted familiarity. BUT I LIVED. I succeeded. I made it through. And all those worries seem a lot sillier from this point of view.

Fifth, I'm okay with the fact that I haven't gotten all As this semester and that that is pretty much out of the realm of possibility. Did it suck of course? Well yeah! This girl's had straight As since the 4th grade! But then I remembered I'm at BYU. And every student here came from a highly successful academic background. And not everyone can be on top. AND I AM OKAY WITH IT.

Sixth, getting out of the Lake County bubble has opened my eyes in so many ways. I sure appreciate home a lot more. I wouldn't change growing up in hicktown Lakeport for anything in my life. I love having to explain where I live in California to people who think that they know the area so well. And then the looks on people's faces when I tell them I graduated with 100 kids. The stories that I have, the memories, make it all worth it in the end.

I guess what I'm trying to get across is that I'm happy for where I've been, and excited for where I'm going. I kinda surprised myself with sitting down and writing this with how many things I'm thankful for in my life. It may mean nothing to you. But it means everything to me!

EDIT: Oren wanted me to let you all know how miserable I was that I didn't get to see him over break. That is all.

So Many Cray Cray Vacays Bay Bay

This has been stuck in my head since Saturday night - all thanks to Tom and Marissa. I'm not complaining (completely) because it's super catchy.

Alright so they vacays. They weren't quite vacays. But all the driving made it seem like it.

Saturday: Leave home to drive to Willits for a baby shower.
Pick up Marissa in Redwood Valley on the way.
After baby shower go to Kohl's in Ukiah.
Drive home to Lakeport for a going away party.
Melt in the 108 degree weather and then leave for the dance.
Drive to Rohnert Park for the dance.
Leave the dance to go to In and Out (for a hour and a half...).
Get lost (a couple times) driving to Chelsea's.
Stay up till 2-ish.

Sunday: Church at 9. Gross.
Missionary farewell!
Saw Elder Brower, my home boy.
Chat with Jake Otteson for two hours.
Barbies with Marble for an hour.
Nap time for three.
Dinner with the missionaries (Stainbeck and Nelson).
Drive to the other side of Santa Rosa to the Hardesters for some BYU mingling.
Back to Chelsea's to say bye!

Monday: Work at 9. One more day.
Leave at 12.
Get ready to pick up Ty in Sac and find out 20 is closed so we have to drive through Napa. Thank goodness Brendan was there.
Get back at 9. Eight hours driving is awesome.
Say good bye to Christopher (a momma goose boy) .
Stay up late blogging.

Check.

I think it's time for some sleep.