I salute you Mister.

He looked up and saluted the flag with honor and sincerity then put his hand back on the stirring-wheel and continued to drive up the freeway. He didn't know anyone was watching and yet he changed my life.  I don't know whether that particular flag meant something or if it was just his respect and honor for the symbolism that it holds, but he was wonderful.

I was driving my Durango up to Logan on Tuesday on my move back to this lovely Valley. Just off I-15 there are some warehouses and on top of one particularly high building flies the American flag. The flag has been there for as long as I can remember and never before have I thought anything of it. But watching this man be so respectful and so sincere caught me off guard.

I have been blessed with the opportunity of living in such a wonderful country. I am free to take pictures, to drive, to eat food I want. I am free to go to school, to have friends of all walks of life, I am free to have religion in my life and to worship the way I want. I am free. Free to read, to write, to state my opinion and to choose for myself the course of my life. I can't even comprehend life without the opportunities that these freedoms have provided me.

And it wasn't until this man saluted this flag that I realized for myself the symbol of sacredness that the American Flag has. 

The rest of the drive to Logan I noticed the flags I passed along the road. Our country is free and as long as these flags fly there will be happiness in this country. The example that this man in the car next to mine set has been burned into my mind. This man who defines his character by the this act even though he didn't know anyone was watching. 

Let that flag fly and let it fly high forever.

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.

"I like your bread"

source

I have decided that I need to write a blog and dedicate it entirely to the Aggie Blue Bus- so many eventful, entertaining, story worthy things happen on the many bus rides to and from campus.

Wednesday - I was on my way to yoga.

The regulars stood in line some look as if they had just woken up, complete with swollen eyes and plaid pajama pants. There was a tall girl with long blonde hair who was eating a piece of toast - she was the only one I didn't recognize.

Right on que the bus pulled in and we filed in.

It was early and once again there were only a few of us on the bus. . . I have decided the fewer people there are the more awkward/entertaining the short ride to campus gets.

Everyone had sat down and the driver was ready to pull out when a man came running around the corner and chased down the bus. He was a small-featured man who was a whopping 5'5''. He wore glasses and wore green pants, a green shirt and carried a cargo green messenger bag.

He sat down a few seats away from me and across from the tall blonde with the toast.nMind you, this blonde- she was cute and I could see the green-man "observing" the situation.

"Is that Grandma Sycamore bread?" he said.

My heart sunk. . . Really- out of all the pick-up lines in the world you are going to hit on this girl by asking her what kind of bread she is eating. . .

The blonde looked around confused and not sure how to respond.

"Um. Yes," she quietly answered.

I don't know what else the poor girl could have said.

"I love Grandma Sycamore bread," he eagerly pushed on the bread issued, "But, it is so-o-o-o expensive."

Inside I was laughing. I wasn't quite sure if he was hitting on the blonde or Grandma Sycamore.

"Yep, but it is on sell at Lee's," she was a sweet blonde.

"And you are eating it with jam, oh so good," he had suddenly flipped his focus from the bread to the jam. . . and at this point I wasn't sure if he was hitting on the girl or wanting her to share her breakfast with him.

"Yep," she started looking out the window and realized that we had almost made it to campus.

The bus stopped.

The door opened and that girl was off the bus before I had even stood up. . .

"I hope you like your Grandma Sycamore bread with jam!" the man in green called after her.

Under his breath I could hear him murmuring something about bread. . .

I wonder if she will ever again eat breakfast on the go - or at least take it with her on the bus.

It was a lovely morning.

. . . . only in a dominate LDS college community .

The definition of Humility.

I was the only one on the bus except for a blind man who sat across from me and the driver. The drive was speaking with the blind man and I listened contently. It was early and my mind was at ease to just listen. 

When we made it to the drop off zone at the top of the hill we both got off. The bus driver wished us both a good day and then we were off.

I don't know how he was so efficient and so smooth walking with his walking stick out in front of him. I watched as I followed him.

When we had turned the corner a guy who was helping with parking welcomed a car that had just pulled up. The blind boy not knowing there was a car there responded to the parking-man's hello. And said, "Well, good morning sir. I am doing wonderful how are-" he stopped when he realized that the man wasn't talking to him. 

He paused in his tracks for a moment. 

My heart stung, I wish I could have change the situation some how. I wish I could have been closer and said hello- or I should have walked with him. . . Why didn't I walk with him?

I wondered what was going through his head.

And before anything else could be said or done he started back on his smooth walk to class. The walking stick making back and forth motions like the hands of a clock. 

He was quick. And soon he had turned into a building close by.

I have thought about him for the last week.

Everyday this blind boy is faced with challenges that I can't even begin to comprehend . . . and I find my life hard. 

He humbled me. 

Monday Moments.

This picture is just beautiful and I wanted to share it. 

Monday morning: All regular classes were cancelled. 

So, I went to Institute.

I decided to sit in on my friend Matt's class, that he only has good things to say about.

I had gotten to the institute early, so I picked up the Statesman, sat down on a couch in the study and began reading. The study was busy, as usual, and on the couch next to mine there was a boy studying a financial book and a few girls giggling about something one of them had said. I am always aware of the people around me, this isn't creepy.

I flipped through the Statesman and skimmed the pages, but didn't find anything too appealing, so I started reading the comics. The boy who was reading his book, looked up at me, smiled. I smiled back and went back to reading my paper. I looked up again, this time he said hello. 

We started talking about the paper, then about school and majors. 

Our conversation lasted for five minutes and then Matt came to meet me and take me to class. I told the boy on the couch that I needed to go, he asked for my number, so I gave it to him. Matt watched. The situation was splendidly awkward. And I have laughed about it ever since. 

Five days later.

Wait?!  It's the weekend. . . already!?  I hate to say this, but this week has flown by, and I almost wish there were more days in the week. . . I have so much to do and so much to get done- AND I DON'T WANT TO WASTE MY WEEKEND ON THESE "THINGS TO DO"!!!

This week I have had ATLEAST three hours of homework a night- which doesn't sound too bad to be quite honest.  However, there are SO many things to do around here that it is like pulling off my finger nails to sit at my kitchen table to do homework!-  BLAH!

Notice:  I am not sitting at my desk that over looks my street,

instead I have moved to the kitchen table 

due to the fact that my poor roommate hasn't been feeling well.

I decided to let her rest!

And I don't want to get sick-  Crank up the vitamin C!

There is so much potential for this weekend it is making me anxious to live it!

Friends are coming up, races are being ran (not by me!), bomb fires, night games, football games, good food, lots of fun-  Oh the possibilities are endless!

It is Thursday night- I almost forgot that I have to go to school tomorrow. . . bum!

People always want to know what I am thinking, and I can honestly say that sometimes I just don't know.  There is so much going on up there that it is hard to grasp a single topic that is swimming around.  It makes some people frustrated, others confuse, and I am completely sympathetic to them- I feel their pain.  There are always so many thoughts dripping through my head, some very complex others are just completely out there and random that they don't even make sense to me. . . 

Tonight it sounds something like this:

I should go to bed.  It is really late. I need to get up early an go running.  It would feel really good.  I could sleep in the afternoon after class.  My nails are getting long.  I need to cut them.  I can't cut them I need to show my mom.  She would be really proud.  Mom and Grandma are coming up tomorrow.  I can't take a nap they will be here.  Maybe I'll seep in.  I need to go grocery shopping.  I need headbands.  Oh and honey.  What time is it, gosh if I go to bed now I could sleep for five hours.  I should probably do some homework.  I could do it during my break.  I need to read my scriptures.  I saw Bro Krebs today.  He is a funny man (breath).  Who texts me at one in the morning.  I guess it really isn't that late.  Where are my friends going to sleep this weekend.  I wonder how my roommate(s) are feeling.  I don't want to get sick.  Maybe I should get some rest.  I like riding on the back of Kalle's motorcycle.  Maybe I'll wear my glasses tomorrow.  This probably won't make sense to anyone.  I don't care.

unfolding.

Right now I'm listening to "My Wish" by Rascal Flatts.
It reminds me of home.  It reminds me of truth and hope and all things good in life.  It reminds me that no matter what people love me and stand by me.  I like that.
Today, Sunday, these days are always beautiful days.
I'm so thankful to be alive.
To breathe in clean air, to have freedom to think and act freely, to have choices in my life.
I'm thankful for every opportunity, every blessing that I have been given.
I feel humble right now.  I have caught myself neglecting these blessings, not taking time to thank My Father in Heaven for all that he has done for me.
Right now I'm going to school four hours from home.  Only four hours, that means if I needed to I could go home and be home in one day, I could leave at any second and know that in four hours I will be surround by those who will love me unconditionally.
I have met amazing people who, even though they may not know it, have impacted my life tremendously, and I've only live here for two weeks.

I came here because it felt right.
I am a person who relies entirely on feelings I receive.  (Some may call it nerve, some say I am just silly, but I know it is the Spirit guiding me.  I've felt it.)
I knew that I needed to come to USU, but I didn't know why at the time.  I think things are starting to unfold.

Have you ever sat and watched people in the mall or at Walmart parking lot?
I do this all the time.  I sit and watch how they interact with one another, how they rush from one place to another- always on the go, always having a set destination.  I think about things like this a lot- I think about the pre-mortal life and wonder what kind of relationship I had with these people before we came here to earth.  Maybe I'm alone on this, but I think about that all the time.
Have you ever met someone and felt like you have known them your entire life?
I have, I have met people here that I feel like I know, and have known for a very long time.  It is even hard for me to remember my life with out these significant people in my life.

I know I have said this before, but I believe that the people we meet we meet for a reason and the impact that these people have on our life shape us to become the people that the Lord needs us to be to fulfill his plan.  I think about that a lot too.

I made a few goals today:

• Take some time just for silence- listen for guidance and direction
• Study more- I am doing decent, I get all my homework done.  I want to excel though- I will.
• Serve others. 
• Patience 
• Lead

Tomorrow starts week three.  It has gone by fast. 

My sister said she may come stay with me next weekend.  I really hope she will.  I miss her.

Sandi and the kids are coming too!  I'm so very excited!  

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!

crazy in the kitchen.

If you want to call me Betty Crocker, I'm okay with that-
I made this lovely HEALTHY salad for lunch today, and yes, it was very delicious!
See, college students can eat healthy!

Actually I don't think I have very much room to talk.

This was my first meal. . . 

I have been living off banana bread, mini wheats, and string cheese.

I love sitting at my desk.

It is right in front of the window.

Sitting here I am able to feel the fresh air, get in some natural light and enjoy one of my most favorite past times. . . people watching!  Yep I very much like my apartment!

College, well it is fun!  

I love the socialness of it all, I will have to work hard in my classes, but I expected that much.

Today I was introduced to the whole college "eligable girl" scene of things.  While I was sitting in my Economics class the guy sitting next to me asked if I was married. . .

I told him no, but inside I was busting a gut!  Poor guy- he probably had some horrible experience in the past by hitting on a married woman. . . maybe?

Hello USU!