My First Summer

So this is the my first summer away from home. It's been a wild ride for sure. Can I just throw it out there that growing up is so bittersweet? It's so nice to have all these experiences, but there's always the complicated 'grown up' stuff. As HPen tells me in every letter, C'est le vie.

Anyway, summer in Provo is so cool! First of all, there's no snow. Also, there's plenty of free stuff to do around town (one week soon we're going to a food truck round up. That's pretty snazzy.) And let me tell you, food is so good and there's still student deals. #savingdollars

Also, I'm not taking classes right now so I work a lot at super awesome job that lets me talk to fantastic people (and not so fantastic ones, too) all day long. Plus I still work for res Life so I get to see all my favorite people everyday! Not taking classes opens up a lot of time and I love finding things to fill it with. Parties, drives, movie nights, and more food. Really just exploring Provo. #lovewhereyoulive (shout out to Elmo)

And now for some pictures. Because that's what this is really all about right?

Just chillin at the UP HOUSE in Herriman, Utah. It's an exact replica! Excuse the ratchet level of this picture. It was after a temple day. 

Excuse the derp face. 

Oquirrh Mountain Temple with my favorites! This was the second temple we went to that day. We hit up the Draper temple too, but we didn't get a picture there. 

Then one day Jason and I went to the zoo. Luckily we're both like 5-year-olds so it was the experience of a lifetime. Also, we pretty sure that they just spray painted the black bears white and called them polar bears. And we can't forget that zebras have five wives?

Okay, we literally looked all over for the sloth (Hoffman) and everyone else found him in like 2 seconds. Jason really wanted to steal him but I wouldn't let him. I'm too pretty to go to jail yet. 

Family picture <3 My long lost Ranga sista friend. 

One of us looking semi-normal.

HOFFMAN. I want him so badly. He's perfect - seriously.

So at the zoo we learned about sloths and their "cuddle puddles". Here is our cuddle pudd (no "le" because Zach wouldn't join us.)

Also, can I just say I'm so glad that Jason and Taylor became best friends on the mish because that means that Taylor and I also became best friends on the mish and now we're the three best friends anyone could have. 

Lei and I went to the temple while Amber studied for finals. We always look so cute so we have to take a picture every time. FYI, the Provo temple is extremely busy Fridays so pick another time to go. Or go to another temple like we do hahah. 

After the temple we got unratchet and hung out with Taylor! He's the greatest.

#swelfie - It's that thing where you go to swig and take a selfie. I missed the cute memo. Thanks y'all. Oh well, still cute though.

Okay I have so much else to write about (another time) still! Like that one time I went to California! Or that time I went to a Bees game! Or that time that I went to Camp Kesem... wait that didn't happen yet.

Moral of the story is that there is so much fun to be had and so much still to be shared.

Take the time to do something adventurous. Live in moment. Just do! And life will be happy I swear.  

Wait, What?

The Church is NOT true if Elder Holland is throwing the first pitch for the Dumb Dodgers....

Read the article here.

(In all honesty it's kinda cool. But he really should of been at a game for a better team....)

Tutti Frutti

This summer and the last I've a job working at Tutti Frutti - the only frozen yogurt shop in my home that is the treehouse. And I will whine about it until the day I stop working there. My hours are awful, there's often a lot of downtime, sometimes people aren't that friendly when they come in, I do more dishes there than I do at home, and I swear I come home covered from head to toe in yogurt. Oh, and don't forget the 824473947 pounds I'll gain by the end of the summer because it is so dang good!

But every once in a while I have some really great moments. There's a lot of people that come in that just crack me up (I mean, this is Lake County). There's also plenty of people that come in regularly, some doing the walk of shame because they might come in just a little bit too often, that I feel I ave a responsibility to make their day just a tad brighter. Plus, they tend to tip more if I'm friendly ;)

There's two little twin boys, probably 3 years old, that come in with their dad and tell me about their hunting and fishing trips and how they love the "salmon eggs" in their yogurts.

There's a little girl who comes in with her mom and is 4 going on 14. "I don't need your help, mom." "Mom, why are you doing it for me?"

There's the lady who came in and complimented me on my red hair and then said how whenever she came in I had a smile on my face and it made her happy

There's the families I knew from before I worked there that make me perk up when they come in.

There's my friends who come in when it's slow just to make me laugh. And take pictures of me. And play with the puzzle books.

There's the SUPER CUTE older couples who you know have been married forever and come in for date night to get frozen yogurt.

There's the people who commend my efforts for higher education and know that it's not easy to fund it on your own.

There's the teenagers on their first date.... and the ones that come in with the munchies.

There's so many reasons to smile

One lady found out I was a BYU student and got excited and asked me all about Utah because she was heading out there soon and wanted to know if she should fly or drive and what she could do and what I loved about Utah (Made me anxious to get back!) She left last week and came in before she did to tell me she decided to drive per my recommendation.

Then, yesterday there was a guy who found out I lived in Utah and asked if I was Mormon. (Pause: there's a lot of Mormon terms coming up.) After a brief introduction I found out he was recently baptized and that he just received the Priesthood and was attending a ward in my stake and he knew a lot of people that I did and we shared our love for the Gospel of Jesus Christ in our lives.

When I look at it this way, it makes working there not so bad and I actually wonder if my next job will be as enjoyable as this one with the way I get to interact with people so closely.

It also makes me really excited for that time in my life when I finally get to work at Disneyland - it's gonna happen.

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.

Camp Kesem

There are 1.7 million cancer cases a year in the United States that affect individuals and their families. The support is there for grown-ups; but the special emotional needs of children of adult cancer patients have been overlooked. Simply put: kids are often left to deal with these personal tragedies on their own; and if parents themselves are struggling with illness, their sons and daughters frequently miss the simple joys of childhood.

Since 2000, Camp Kesem has given children affected by a parent’s cancer the opportunity to just be kids.  The ever-expanding Kesem community engages in camp activities like sports, arts and crafts, and drama to give campers a fun-filled week.  Campers also participate in “Cabin Chats” with fellow campers and counselors, giving children the chance to share their experiences with each other.  There are plenty of laughs and lots of emotional support, but Camp Kesem does not provide therapy.  The tremendous fun and support campers experience is what makes Camp Kesem a transformative, magical week for campers and counselors alike.

Due to the financial burden placed on families coping with cancer, Camp Kesem camp programs are offered free of charge. Families are invited to donate to support Camp Kesem.

If you wish to donate to Camp Kesem, click here.

Don't forget! If you are in the Provo area on March 14th, check out this event.

I really am not okay with this whole 'moving' thing.

I have never EVER thought more about backing out of something until now. Obviously I'm still going. Not going would be ridiculous. But saying goodbye to my best friends in the world is one of the hardest things to do. How will I have lunch without having to yell at the boys to pick up their trash? Where am I going to go when I realize I can't just show up at Brendan's house? Who am I supposed to lean on when I just need to cry?
To prove to you how pathetic I am, I couldn't even make it down the driveway at B's house before crying. Not just a few tears. I was crying pretty hard. Luckily, he was the last stop.
This whole new world used to be exciting and inviting. And now I'm wondering what in the world am I thinking? Reality hit. Hard. So now it's 3:30 in the morning and I'm blogging because I can't sleep because I'm bawling my eyes out realizing how wonderful my life is here.
Example 1: Today I get a text from Josef that said he wanted to see me before I left. Cue tear fest. For those who don't know, I was J's first friend at CLHS. And I'm soooo glad I talked to him in that PE class. He is such an inspiration.
Example 2: Sam Omiotek printed some of his lovely shots of Lakeport for me to take to school with me. I'm so glad I can hang a piece of home in my room.
Example 3: I can just show up at people's houses and there's no judgments.
Example 4: Brooke posting on my Facebook Wall. You're amazing and beautiful and I love you and I miss you!!!!! :) ♥
Example 5: Rachel and Scott being so loving and kind all these years. I appreciate their support.
Example 6: Going to Mitch's house and having 10 people there to say goodbye too. I love those people.
Example 7: Ty staying in his undies when I went to say bye. Definitely love there.
Example 8: B letting me live in denial. Even though he has class today. But just for a minute, letting me pretend it wasn't happening. Living in the moment.
My friends always know just what I need. I KNOW I will never be able to replace or substitute or come anywhere close to what I have now. But I sure hope that I have something. And mainly enjoy myself.
On a side note, I will be in the car for 12 hours tomorrow. Text me and keep me company.

Countdown to Moving

How else do I celebrate than with Brittani day with Brendan? Too bad I'm super indecisive so it kinda failed. lol

So of course we go buy ice cream. Because when you get bored you eat.

Then we drive around. Where? Oh, pick up the little bro, go get school supplies, and then drop him off. And then drive around the lake. Like, literally. We went almost to Blue Lakes and then out to Buckingham (Google Map it, yo.) and every road in Finley.

Pizza Lessons from Captain Mike. Someday he might relive his pizza parlor days.

Shark Week, Little Mermaid, Zombies and Rugrats.

One day I might get bored. But for now I'm soaking it all up.

The True Definition of YOLO

Self-Timer Camera Shots

Last Minute Decision to jump in the pool. In our clothes.

Hoooootttttiiiiiessss

Vegetable Oil - 2007
Baking Powder - 1998!!

Successful Red Velvet Cake...

Which led to Red Velvet Cake War

Yearbooks. The gift that keeps on giving.

Oh hey. Here's your yearbook back.

Ladies and Gentlemen: A typical Wednesday Night.

Did you know?

That there are such things as zombie experts? It was on the history channel so it has to be true. I now know that I need to run to the McQueen residence because A.) They're out in the boonies. Sort of. B.) They have guns. C.) They know how to use them. D.) B and I watched the zombie experts talk about preparedness for the zombie apocalypse together so he knows what's up.  And E.) They might try to help me out. Maybe.