Ode to a Pink Water Bottle

I have a special friend. A friend that I know so well. I take her everywhere with me. To school. To work. On hikes. Through thick and thin, hot and cold she is always there for me. She even helps me think better and stay healthy. I know of no better remedy for a headache than her presence.

One fateful weekend we were parted from each other. I left her sitting by me in class and walked away without remembering her presence. It was traumatic. I longed for her presence all weekend. Yet she was nowhere to be found. Fortunately, she showed up at a social event of Sunday. She was there waiting for me. Oh sweet winds of fortune, I thank thee!

With such a level of friendship it could not be doubted that she would accompany me to Italy. I did not forget her. She was comfortably seated on the plane. It was with eager anticipation that I yearned to share the Roman water with her. Yet, fate would not have it so.

After only 4 hours of slumber I was in great need of a short rest. I shut my eyes and drifted of to the world of dreams. When I awoke she was gone! The tragedy! I had kicked her in my sleep and she had rolled away. I searched frantically for her. I even asked the flight attendants if they were aware of her whereabouts. No one had seen her. My dear sweet friend had gone missing.

Oh 16 oz. pink camelback, oh how I miss thee!

Pensive

Disclaimer: Incredibly sappy post. You've been warned.

Home alone (well mostly) + time to think = a new blog post

I've been thinking a lot about how things change as time passes. One of my faults or gifts (depending on how you look at it) is that I get really emotionally invested in people. As a result I saying goodbye is really hard for me. And well it's that time again. Spring term is over and a lot of people are heading home or off on study abroad to see the world. Some of these people I've only known for two months and others I've known for almost a year. Some I know I will see again and others I probably never will.

I've said a lot of goodbyes in my life. Most of them are just little pangs at the realization that they're not going to be a part of my everyday life anymore. Others bring tears. And once, only once, a goodbye brought heart crushing pain. Another goodbye, the most nonchalant of my life, brought regret.

This time, however, the goodbyes seem less of an end and more like a beginning. Of course I will miss all of these people, but I know that there will be new people to meet. When I graduated high school I remember thinking that I would never find another group of friends to compare to the Nerd Herd. Those guys got me through high school. They were my everything for that time. But that's just it, they were everything for THAT time. I've grown up, I have new friends, and they mean just as much (if not more) to me. These friends are for this season of my life. There will be new friends for the next season. That doesn't mean that I will ever forget those friends. I'm not going to stop wishing them well. In fact I am quite certain that some of them will last into new seasons of my life. Perhaps others will  reemerge at later periods. I am just so grateful that I always seem to have the friends that I need for the moment. I am grateful to be blessed with friends who can support me and that I can support.

To everything there is a season.

The Evergreen State

It's that time in the semester when everyone starts getting excited to go home. Finals are here and freedom is just around the corner. I, however, am not going home. I don't want that to sound depressing. I am actually super excited about staying for another two months, but I do miss home a little bit. So I am going to dedicate this post to the beautiful state of Washington. 


I love Washington! I love the attitude. I love the people. I love the ocean. I love the mountains. I love the trees. I even love the rain. I saw a post on facebook about the ways that you know you are from Washington. They come from Jeff Foxworthy and I just though I would share/ comment on them. So here we go.

1) If someone in a Home Depot store offers you assistance and they don't work there, you live in Washington.

I am not sure if this is because everyone is super friendly and helpful or because we all know so much about yard work, but it's definitely true.

2) If you've worn shorts, sandals and a parka at the same time, you live in Washington.

This is me pretty much every time I go to the beach...

3) If you've had a lengthy telephone conversation with someone... who dialed the wrong number, you live in Washington.

Yes...

4) If you measure distance in hours, you live in Washington.


Seattle is 1.5 hours away from my house. I have no idea how many miles!

5) If you know several people who have hit a deer more than once, you live in Washington.


Bahahahhahaha. YES! The Lola aka the hooker mobile....

6) If you have switched from 'heat' to 'A/C' and back again in the same day, you live in Washington.


Springs are so bipolar. Sunny one hour, pouring rain the next.

7) If you can drive 75 mph through 2 feet of snow during a raging blizzard without flinching, you live in Central, Southern, or Eastern Washington.


I am not from any of those places.

8) If you design your kid's Halloween costume to fit over 2 layers of clothes or under a raincoat, you live in Washington.


I had so many beautiful costume that couldn't be seen because they had to be covered by a coat. Then I discovered the magics of a cloak...

9) If driving is better in the winter because the potholes are filled with snow and ice, you live in Washington.


Maybe in Eastern Washington?

10) If you know all 4 seasons: almost winter, winter, still winter, and road construction, you live in Washington.


I actually disagree with this one. I think the seasons are rain, rain, rain, and slightly sunny. Summer really is not that rainy in Washington. Also, the road construction in Utah is infinitely worse.

11) If you feel guilty throwing aluminum cans or paper in the trash, you live in Washington.


This is so true! At my house our recycling bin is bigger than our garbage can, but the recycling in my apartment sucks. At first I tried to separate everything, but it was too much of a hassle.

12) If you know more than 10 ways to order coffee, you live in Washington.


I don't even drink coffee and I can think of at least 12.

13) If you know more people who own boats than air conditioners, you live in Washington.


Very, very true. I remember when we bought a small swamp cooler for my house. It's only turned on for two weeks of the year.

14) If you stand on a deserted corner in the rain waiting for the "Walk" signal, you live in Washington.


I never realized how polite pedestrians in Washington are until I moved to Utah. Here when I cross the street and wave to the drive people look at me funny.

15) If you consider that if it has no snow or has not recently erupted, it is not a real mountain, you live in Washington.


YES! These mountains in Utah are like foothills. There little and they don't always have snow. I guess I have just been spoiled by Mt. Rainier.

16) If you can taste the difference between Starbucks, Seattle's Best, and Tullys, you live in Washington.


Maybe I can't taste the difference, but I think I can smell it.

17) If you know the difference between Chinook, Coho and Sockeye salmon, you live in Washington.


I am pretty sure that every science class I had in elementary school had a section just on salmon. 

18) If you know how to pronounce Sequim, Puyallup, Issaquah, Snoqualmie, Wenatchee, Spokane, Umpqua, Yakima, and Willamette, you live in Washington.

Are the really that hard? I would also add Chehalis and Enumclaw to the list.

19) If you consider swimming an indoor sport, you live in Washington.


Why would anyone want an outdoor pool they can only use for about a month.

20) If you can tell the difference between Japanese, Chinese and Thai food, you live in Washington.

Once again, very true.

21) If you never go camping without waterproof matches and a poncho, you live in Washington.


I am pretty sure that our camping backpacks have a never ending supply of these.

22) If you have actually used your mountain bike on a mountain, you live in Washington.


I don't like biking, but this is true for the rest of my family.

23) If you think people who use umbrellas are either wimps or tourists, you live in Washington.


Agreed. People with umbrellas should just suck it up unless they are going to be outside for an extended period of time.

24) If you buy new sunglasses every year because you cannot find the old ones after such a long time, you live in Washington.


I didn't even have sun glasses for the longest time.


Well I just love Washington and all it's quirks. It is just so awesome and unique.

The beautiful capitol city I call home.

Dear Boys,

So my roommate did this a few days ago and I thought it was a great idea. Basically, I will be writing a letter to the guys in my life, so beware if you are of the male persuasion... Also, I have writer's block and am hoping this will push me through it.

Dear Dad,
You are such an example to me.
I know that we're not huggy,
but I always know you love me.
You have always seemed so wise to me.
When  I am struggling with something
I can always count on you to talk me
through it. Thanks for never being
ashamed of your testimony and sharing
it with us often.

Dear Sunshine Butterfly,
We have been through a lot together...
I guess I am just really happy with how
things turned out. I appreciate that we
can still talk and help each other out.
Sometimes I feel like I am not there for
you as much as you are there for me.
I am really sorry and want you to know
that I do actually care. I wish you the best
and an proud of who you are becoming.

Dear Boy-who-must-not-be-named,
I hope you like HP reference.
Gah! You are a frustrating one.
Our friendship really does mean a lot
to me and I am glad you trust me enough
to talk about your problems, but sometimes
I wish you would notice how I feel. Yes, I
like you. Well, duh! I've been trying to think
of you less and it's actually working. I hope
I can completely move on soon and that we
can continue to be awesome friends.
Thanks for keeping me laughing!

Dear Amazing Boy,
I totally understand why everyone calls
you an apostle. You are seriously the best!
I am so glad that you dated my roommate.
There is so much I can learn from you.
You are so kind to other people and yet
still funny and fun. I really do want my
sons to be like you!

Dear little brothers,
You guys are awesome! I am really proud
of who you guys are becoming. It is so fun
to see you develop into the men you will
be. I wish I was home more to see you
grow. Just know that I love you and am
always there for you!

Dear Bald/Funny one,
You make me laugh! I've really enjoyed
getting to know you better this semester.
You are a really interesting person with a
really refreshing view of the world. I only
wish you would leave me alone about
that one boy.

Dear Dejected One,
You are not a monster. You are a
wonderful human being. I know that
you think that certain aspects of who you
are define you, but they don't. Your family
loves you, I love you, and God loves you
no matter what. Keep your chin up!

Dear New and Slightly Awkward,
I don't know why you decided to trust me.
You must not know me very well, but
I am flattered none the less. I hope you
begin to feel more accepted. I really don't
mind talking to you. It's nice to be able to
help you out, but a little less frequency might
be nice. You'll find her someday!

Dear Outgoing,
You are funny and social and kind of a
player.... I am not so happy with how you
treated someone who means a lot to me. I
don't understand. You always seem so very
nice, a little self-absorbed, but friendly and
engaging. So I hope this was just a fluke
and that you normally aren't such a jerk.

Patience

Two blog posts in one day! What is this?! I thought I ought to update the world on the recent events in my life. This last month since winter break has been CRAZY! It was the best of times, it was the worst of time. Some Highlights:

Ward trip to Mars!! Two of the people from our ward had a reception up in Salt Lake and we got a huge group to go together. The food was awesome and the couple looked so amazing and happy. After the reception we took a slightly chaotic trip to Gateway Mall. After visiting the haven known as Anthropologie we all ran off to the planetarium. There we were able to play in clouds and catch a space shuttle to the lovely planet of Mars. 

Soothing zombie facemasks! Need I say more?

A couple Saturdays ago one of our friends was participating in the tennis intramural semifinals. A bunch of us got together and made tee shirts to spell out his name. It was quite the challenge when you realized that his name is very very long. It was a blast, but I think we annoyed the other people there. Who knew you weren't supposed to cheer at a tennis match?

FOOD! I have decided to start trying to cook new foods more often. So far I have made spaghetti alla carbonara, tomato-mozarella-basil bread, and home made crunch-wrap supremes. Yumm! (Except for the carbonara, I need a different recipe)

Last, and actually kind of least, the basketball game this last Saturday. Jordan, Kathryn, and I went with some friends (and our 8th roommate, Connor) to the BYU game against St. Mary's. Not only did we lose, but the audience was SO angry. There was actually a technical foul called on the crowd. I didn't even know that was possible! It was a terrible atmosphere and we left early to get some delicious cafe rio.

Now for a personal moment. Patience. This word has been on my mind a lot today (for those six of you who know why feel free to laugh at me). I have never been a very patient person and it is something I need to work on. I know that good things come to those who wait. I also know that often our Heavenly Father doesn't bless until after our trials. But sometimes it is just so HARD. So goal of the week: be more patient. In life. With the Lord. With friends. And yes, even with boys. 

Because he says it better than I ever could.