Dear September.

I love September.

I indulge the crisp morning air.

I swoon over Logan's deep sunsets.

I soak in the warmth of autumn afternoons.

I swim through the stars on park swings,

and the anticipation of change.

September is wonderful.

This September is mine- and I cherish it.

All of it.

The longs shadows and early evenings.

I cherish the smell of spices and home cooked meals.

I rave about the contrast of a silhouette,

and hold on to the rhythm of my pounding heart.

Dearest Logan, I missed you.

Sometimes I forget how much I love Cache Valley but pulling into Logan slapped a smile on my face that is still there! I think I told my mom over 25 times in a three hour period how much I love it here. I even told her that one day I would like to raise my family in this beautiful valley. Yep, pure love.

It is kind of bitter-sweet though. I will only get to be here for a short time before shipping out- that breaks my heart a little. It feels good to be back with friends, in the college setting- it is comfortable. But from the words of a very wise teacher, "There is no growth in the comfort zone and no comfort in the growth zone."

I am scared. But for now this is wonderful.

Besides, I get to spend two months going to college and living crazy with these two wonderful people! I can't decide if it will be me trying to mother them or the three of us being the best of friends. . . probably a little bit of both.

Merry Schooling!

Crying for Logan.

The view of the Logan Temple as I drove into Cache Valley gave me chills all over my body. This is a beautiful place and every time return I feel like a little peace of me is back. Logan has become my second home.

It was Friday, late afternoon and couples had just began to speckle the sidewalks. . . I had forgotten that there is actually people (lots of them) close to my age. Living at home for the summer has somewhat isolated me from other people my age. . . But I guess that is what you get when you live in a small community.

I didn't stop in Logan, but instead drove straight up the canyon. Oh it is amazing what a month of sunshine can do. The canyon walls looked like as if they should belong in the rainforest they were so lush and full of greenery- it was beautiful.  I drove until I pulled into Garden City where I registered for my Half Marathon.

I registered alone. . . This may make me sound completely unsocial and hermit-ish, but sometimes I like to be alone. That is normal right? My roommate Jordan had planned on running it with me, but due to her work schedule she couldn't. I was nervous going it with out her.

All my Logan-ite friends were working when I came back to Logan. So I decided to grab dinner and eat at the park - a prime spot for people-watching. I wrote the thoughts that had been swarming around in my head down in my journal and for a moment I became emotional.

(please imagine how awesome I would have looked: a girl, alone, eating a pita, pen in hand, crying - awesome huh!?)

Crying is something I hardly ever do in public. I hate crying, but tears stained my pages that evening- and the thing is I can't tell you want kind of tears they were. . . whether they were tears of sadness, joy, nervousness, or just tears to feel emotion of some kind.

It was good to be back in Logan, even if it was just temporary.

Here is to you Logan:

I have a lot on mind and I feel like it deserves to be written down.

However I have had this post open for nearly six hours now, and every time I look at my computer the words inside my head taunt me.

I have never thought of finals week as the "week of lasts" -- it is an awful way to think of it, but that is the only way I can interpret this week.

Such a melancholy thought.
I never thought I could grow so much or love so many people.
I never thought I would think the way I do now, or have the experiences that I have had.
I never imagined how great life would actually be.
I love it.

But now it is time to leave. It is time for a change and oh, it is bittersweet.

So here is to you:

Aggie Blue Bus, for making trips to school a lot more enjoyable during the elements. For teaching me patience and the importance of being on time. Here is to you for inspiring me with lots of wonderful stories and teaching me that everyone you meet on the bus is not "safe" but sometimes there are exceptions.

Logan Canyon, you made running magical, you provided me with a sanctuary when I needed to find escape. You cause the wind to blow through campus all the time and even though I don't care for wind I loved how it made the trees sway and the leaves dance.

Homework, I won't miss you. I might miss having something to do. . . never mind I can always find something to do. I really won't miss you at all.

Roof out my window, I have enjoyed Sunday afternoons sitting on top of you and basking in the sunshine. You have also provided me with opportunities to meet knew people and I can see all over The Farm when I perch on top of you.

Farm Residents, you have all made living in Logan yet another marvelous year. I may have been looking out my window during a few doorstep scenes or seen you roll down the hill with your "lover" in the rain. I may have gone to one of your parties, laughed at one of your jokes, or played games like Screw-Your-Neighbor on Sunday afternoons after church. Thank you all.

Statesman, I had fun taking pictures for your pages. It was kind of random how you and I came to be, but I think it was for the best. You pushed me to learn new techniques and to meet a lot of new people. I like that part the best.

Taco-Tuesday Crew, I have loved every Tuesday since September for the mere fact of Cafe Rio Tacos. Thank you for the girl talk, for the frustrations, the giggling, the boy craziness, and for trying to figure out life over marvelous Mexican cuisine. I don't know what I am going to do without my Taco-Tuesday Girl dates.

YSA 11th Ward, we were strong, united and we had possibly the best singles ward in Logan. My testimony of service, charity, love and hard work grew so much because of the examples that you set. You surrounded me with uplifting examples and I was able to uphold responsibilities that built life-long friendships and brought me closer to my Heavenly Father.

Roommates -- my sisters, my friends, you were my home away from home. You taught me charity and the importance to serve. You taught me what sisterhood means and how each person is a daughter of God. You have been a support and lifted me up when I have been weak. You have taught me humility and love through your examples and the sweet spirit that each of you have. Thank you.

Cheers!

Freezing is an understatement.

This is a new series of mine- 

The weather is extremely cold when:

Breathing out side hurts.

Washing hands in the bathroom sink at the institute is a five-minute long process because the water was so warm.

Walking to class takes twice as long due to slick (sexy) boots and cautious foot placement.

The roommates and I gather around the space heater and the oven like a fireplace.

Turning the temperature up to 50 degrees was like living in a sauna.

The giraffes on my rice bag have began to wear off.

Going outside is not an option - not even for necessities of life (party supplies).

I just have to keep reminding myself that I chose this school. I don't like the cold.

 

Last Weekend of FREEDOM: Goodbye Summer of '11

School starts Monday.
I haven't decided whether to be dreading this fact or to be excited for a year of adventures, experiences and growth. . . It doesn't really matter which I decided because time will pass, school will start and the summer of '11 will be over.  Summer of '11 was one of a kind though, I must say.

I have decided that moving is hard for me.  The change takes a toll on me and it takes a while for me to recover.  The night I moved home at the beginning of the summer I sat on my bedroom floor and cried for nearly two hours.  I cried because the life I had for the last eight months was over.  All the people I grew to love lived nearly four hours away if you drove the speed limit and I felt lost.  My poor mother probably thought that I was sad to move home, but that wasn't it at all.  I just found more people to love, that's all.

“Love knows no limit to its endurance, no end to its trust, no fading of its hope; it can outlast anything. Love still stands when all else has fallen.” Moving back, I feel the same way towards my family, my friends, my home.  I wish I could just bounce from one place to the other and not suffer the effects of change.  I imagine that this feeling will be one I recognize quite often when I am serving my mission.  Each transfer I will have to leave those I have grown to love.  I will be thrown into new circumstances and new opportunities to serve will be coming at me in all directions.  Heart ache will be familiar, but so will the bursting joy that comes from the love of the Lord. It is good to be back, even if it gets hard sometimes.

packing.

Cleaning and packing are classified in the same category in my mind.  Maybe it is because I don't do very well staying on task when it comes to either of them?  Tonight I am suppose to be getting ready to move up in the morning.  Luckily enough for me I only have to pack, Mom helped clean my room! I know I am nearly 20 years old, I should be able to do this on my own, but shout out to Mother for being simply amazing in my eyes!
Now my job is to pack.  Can you tell I am doing a wonderful job?  . . . Starting now!!!

I don't know when I will post again, sometime next week I suppose- until then best wishes in your endeavors!

Cheers!

The sky is falling! Wait, those are bouncy balls!

Another regular day in Logan. . .

People of all ages lined up in the Stadium parking lot.

They waited there for sometime- anticipating the arrival.

Yes, the arrival of a helicopter filled with 20,000 bouncy balls.

What, you have never done this?

The excitement waiting for the 'copter 

was the best part of the event.

Once the balls fell they bounced everywhere-

AND out of my group of five we only retrieved one bouncy ball.

To bed the balls weren't bigger, they were kind of hard to see

But come on 20,000 bouncy balls from 100 feet-

Ya- sounds pretty cool huh!

We have made great use of our bouncy ball. . . 

including the fact that Eric frosted it, 

covered it in sprinkles 

AND 

tried to feed it to me! 

(it was rubbery tasting. . . blah!)

satisfied.

Every day I kick myself for not having my camera on me.  As I walk around on campus, to and from home as I sit by the fountain I wish I had a camera to exemplify the beauty that the Lord has put on this earth for us to enjoy.
The fall is beautiful in Logan.  Everything is changing colors, but yet still lush.  Where I come from the leaves barely start to turn colors when they freeze and just fall to the ground.  The weather has been spectacular.  Yes, I do love summer -- the heat, the green, the water, the sunshine! but fall is amazing! -- the colors are so rich, the air crispy and I love getting all bundled up in cozy clothing!
Anyhow yesterday I only had one class- yes it is homecoming and well long story short my other class got cancelled! SCORE!  I walked home and the as usual I was complaining that I didn't have my camera!  I was whining to Sam and so since we had to go back up to campus real quick anyway (free Scotsman's!) he made me bring my camera -- Nice work Samuel!
After a delicious lunch!  Walking home took almost an hour and a half compared to the regular seven minutes.  I loved it.  I have been craving the creativity to finding the different perspectives of an object and capture its beauty.  The need to take and edit photos is now satisfied for the moment and I am very much content.  I do however wish to have a marvelous new camera. . (hint. hint.) hehe
Yep I pretty much love Logan Falls! -- I am still not so sure on the winters though. . . .

adventure.

Adventure. I live for adventure.

I love being on the go and staying involved.

It kills me to go to school all day long and then come home just to study the night away- 

I have to get out and do something adventurous.

Now to some adventure means always doing something spontaneous and crazy- however, that is not my case.

This weekend was full of adventures and I loved them all.

We took a journey to the park where we feasted on sandwiches, apples, and string cheese of course.  We flew across the sky and our shadows were eaten by little kids.  We crossed the mighty gorge and walked around barefoot!

I have learned that I love having deep conversations with people.  I have learned that at times it is hard but only true friendships can be based on being personable and "real".  

I think I will study sociology.  I like watching people and I am always curious on why people do the things they do.

I live for the weekends, late night walks, playing pretend, and adventure.

Meet Mark.

He is pretty much amazing!

He pretty much knows everything!

Hello World!

I love this picture- Shay took it.

The song going through my head right now is "A Whole New World" off of Aladdin - I'm entering my whole new world and I'm anxiously excited for it all to begin!

Today I moved away, well sort of, I haven't moved into my apartment but instead I'm crashing at my cousin's house!

Thank the heavens for families!

Tomorrow I start my freshmen orientation- I'm nervous but so ready to meet new people!  I just wish I could move into my apartment already!  

Today was a day of firsts:

• First time I drove in the city by myself- and well I'm pretty much professional. . . 
• First (sort of) day of college
• First day being homeless. . 

I guess I haven't had too many firsts yet, but I know that I love Logan- and I'm anxious to start school.

I feel like a little kid again getting ready to start elementary!