To send a letter is a good way to go somewhere without moving anything but your heart

How sad is it that our society has gotten away from old fashioned, hand-written symbols of love. Letters. I have to say, I never really cared much for them before, but ever since a few months ago, I have started to see the value in them.

I have a few people that I keep in correspondence with. Some are best friends, one I’ve never met before in person, and another I just met for a few hours through a friend last winter. The thing I love the most about letters is the peek they give me into a person’s heart. I learn so much when I read letters, as well as when I write them. Especially when I write them. Yes, they take time, but it is time well-spent.

The reason I am so adamant about this recently is because of a very special correspondence I just started with the friend I met back in the winter. Granted, it is an email correspondence, but it’s still a great one. I only spent a few hours with him when I did meet him, but he was probably one of the most intelligent and interesting people I have ever met. When I met him, he immediately started asking me questions about the things I keep closest to my heart – that is my faith and my desire to help people. It felt so good to have the opportunity to tell someone how strongly I felt about these things and to speak openly about topics acquaintances don’t usually comfortably talk about. I’m so happy I had that opportunity to exchange ideas and passions with a person who could relate, but from a different perspective than I was accustomed to. From this, I have decided that I want to be someone who people can feel comfortable talking to so openly and seriously. Add that to my list of semester goals.

My main correspondences are with those who I grew up with, who are currently serving the Lord for two years of their life. Whenever I get letters from them, I feel so happy! I love hearing about their growth, the new insights they have, and just how their life is going in general. I love it when I can hear them say the things they write in their letters as if they were right there with me. Facial expressions and all.

My last correspondence is with a girl I have never met in person. But she is one of my best friend’s sisters. She is really wonderful. It has been a while since we have written, but when we were writing regularly, I felt like I was putting together a puzzle, trying to figure out who she was, piece by piece. Which was really pretty fun! She is such a great girl, and I feel like if we were to meet each other in person, we would have a lot of fun together.

I guess the moral of this story is to write your friends! The old-fashioned snail mail way. I feel like I have grown closer to my friends through our continuous letters back and forth. I have also started making some amazing new friends, and have an outlet to tell people my feelings, in a thought-out way, so even I can figure out exactly what I am feeling because I have to put it down in words. It is great for deepening your friendship, to something that is more than just a shallow, casual hello every once in a while, which is great! But the potential of the relationship is so much more, and you shouldn’t belittle it.

Finding my Qi

Moving in a new apartment can be challenging. Trying to make your apartment feel like a home can be even more difficult. Bare walls and a sense of a temporary home never seemed to bother me before, but ever since my wonderful roommate last year who was passionate about making our apartment feel like a home, I have realized how important it is for my spirit, as well as everyone else’s to have a place that is welcoming and homey feeling.. And lucky for me, a good friend of mine just happens to be a feng shui master! Jim, who recently returned from an LDS mission in France, was taught by an ancient Chinese master deep in the mountains of France!Way too legit, so Kirsten (my roommate) and I decided to use his knowledge on our quest for finding our apartment’s qi.

We separated our front area into sections – Knowledge, wealth, friendship, family, and relationship. Wealth is the furthest left from the door, where we strategically placed our fish and a cute little green succulent.

On the opposite corner, we have out area for knowledge. We have a small stack of books on our coffee table, soon to sit between book ends, and a stack of them in a cloth drawer underneath.

In the kitchen, we have beads hanging from the ceiling. Crystals, turquoise, and some green stone beads. This is considered out relationship area, but we are roughly using the feng shui model, so it may not run completely in line. But there are no mirrors in that area! We do not want to invite a third party into any relationships we may have!

Our family section is the where the refrigerator is. We are going to post pictures of everyone’s family on there. And then on our door, we have encouraging quotes, as well as pictures. That way as we go out to face the world, we will have a positive start. We also hung pictures on twine and clothes pins, which may sounds kind of weird, but I actually really like this idea. My roommate from last year put this in our living room, and I loved it. We would clip on drawings or leaves, special notes, or anything we wanted really. It really showed a bit of each of our personalities and was so fun. Right now we have pretty ordinary pictures on it, but soon it will shine with our personalities! I know it!

I realized that decorating an apartment isn’t as scary as it seems. Actually, it was really simple.We hung a sheet I have with big flowers on it on the wall. It really brought a lot of color into the room, making it incredibly more cheerful. And then making a fun adventure out of the whole ordeal was a good idea, and I would say I grew closer to my friends.

So I love being in my home – my shelter from the stresses of the world. This may come as a surprise to all 3 of you – but I stress out so easily! It’s a problem. So having this space where I can relax is something that really helps, I’ve realized. Today when I came back home from work (which just happens to be one of the most stressful jobs there is – catering) I immediately felt all the problems melt away. I love having this sanctuary and the company of some really wonderful people.

Still My Sweet Home

The time is come for moving back to Provo. Once again it is time for school. Time to start fresh, heading into the unknown. But I am so excited. I have a great roommate, and I have wonderful friends, the kind that make you want to be the best person you can be. I have a job and some of the best co-workers EVER. Pretty much, Provo is the best thing that has happened to me so far. True, the classes are the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but the knowledge and experience I gain each semester makes it so worth it.
While Provo is where I am supposed to be right now, I can’t forget how wonderful Alabama is and will always be. To me. Anyway, here is my top 10 for the wonderful state where I was raised:


10. Rain. I miss the rain and thunderstorms like no other when I am in Utah. For all you Alabamians, did you know rain has a smell? Yes, I never recognized it either until I was out in Utah. It’s so wonderful, and I love how it cools things off, at least for a few hours.

9. Coke. So much better than Pepsi. And everyone down here knows it. There seems to be some questioning of that…… well everywhere else.

8. Buggies. Yes, when I go grocery shopping, I use a buggy. Not a cart.

7. Swimming. Ok this is kind of exclusive to me, but it helps define Alabama to me because this was my life every day for 2 hours. And in the summer, all day long. Swim meets, swim practice, teaching swim lessons, coaching swim team, and my swim team friends. Those are some good times. Nothing builds a bond between people like suffering through a horrible practice together. We had countless inside jokes, and they continue to be some of my besties. Lane 8 foreva!

6. Fried pickles, fried okra, fried green tomatoes. Fried things. In general. It’s no wonder Alabama is the 2nd fattest state? (From what I remember, it is). Yes, I gain weight when I come home. But it’s worth it. Also, the fact that most things on my top 10 are food items might be an indication…. Haha.

5. Jeff/Slaughter road. The road of my life. On this road is, conveniently, my elementary, middle, and high school, as well as my church, and just a few miles off of it, the pool I practiced at. On this road I drove for the first time ever, I hit a raccoon, and I got swooped on by a hawk out of the corn, as my sister likes to remind me. Also, I like road names. I think they’re a lot of fun. I mean come on, Slaughter road? And little did you know, I already lived on Mt. Zion before I even went out to Utah.

4. Greenbrier. Best. Southern. Restaurant. Ever. Endless hushpuppies? Yes, please. Whitesauce? You know what, that deserves a category all on its own.

3. Whitesauce. YUM! The best topping for your BBQ. Really. It’s so delicious. Also, what exactly is BBQ? Many people don’t understand. It’s not something you put on a pizza, it’s not grilled chicken with some sauce. No. It’s slowly cooked and juicy, preferably pulled, deliciousness. Super salty, and tastes best on a bun with some pickles and some white sauce. No coleslaw please. Life doesn’t get much better than a pulled pork sandwich and a coke, on a beautiful day by the pool.

2. College Football. Yes, I live in a college town, and yes, they have football. But seriously? Not the same. Especially since I have to work every game. Coming from the south where college football is a way of life, it’s slightly disappointing. I was amazed at how small BYU’s football stadium is. And how many people don’t watch the game when it’s on. It’s the second priority, right after God, down in Bama. And I miss the fall days where you hear the game reverberating throughout the house. The smack talk between people in school, the bets made, and watching people shave their heads or wear the team they hate’s colors when they lose. There aint nothing like it.

1. Family and friends. They are what make this place home to me. I love how although my life changes a lot, and I feel like a totally different person, every time I come back, I have the same friends I had when I left. I’m talking about the Young Women leaders I had, the Sunday school teachers, my parents’ friends, and of course my parents - all the people who were big influences in my life. They talk to me, expecting nothing less than the best from me. Their high expectations help me to have high expectations of myself, and that is what helps me keep on chasing my dreams. There’s not much that makes me feel better than coming home and seeing their proud faces.

So, good bye to Alabama until Christmas. I truly do love my sweet home. But it’s time to do a little more growing at school. One step closer to who I am becoming.

Dreamer's Delight

Ok, fun times lately!! First off, Harry Potter is the most magnificent piece of fantasy genius ever to be thought of. Ever. It was my childhood. I read every book at least 4 times, not including the last. I am sad that there is no more, but at the same time the waiting is done!! Now I am free to go back to any Harry Potter book I want to for a few hours simply by watching the movie!

Secondly, I forgot how much fun I have with my friends here in Alabama. I am going to miss them terribly when I go back to Provo. Shout out to my lane 8 peeps!! It was so great to see yall at that swim meet! Well… ok only Kyle and Katie were there, and although they were coaching and we didn’t get to hang out a ton, just the funny and awkward moments we shared in that small amount of time reminded me of why I am such great friends with these people! Kaitlin and Matt, I better be seeing yall soon!

Thirdly, I have the best family. Spending time with my brother at his swim meet was a blast! He is so crazy. I didn’t realize how much we had in common! I guess my parents and sisters have been telling me that for a while, but I didn’t want to believe it because I’ve always thought he is so annoying! Well, turns out it’s true. Not that he’s annoying, but that we can both talk to a wall, we can both make crazy facial expressions, we both are sensitive to what other people are feeling, and we both tell the best jokes! Well, at least we think so. And when we feel passionately about something, which is often, we both go on and on about it. He’s great, and we have a blast when we are together.

I can’t leave out Leah and Cara. They are both pretty crazy too! Leah enjoys keeping me up late at night to talk to me about… well nothing usually. Our work schedules overlap each other, so it feels like I haven’t seen much of her unless it’s late and I’m in my bed and she’s creeping in, checking to see if I am asleep and I lay there dead, hoping she won’t find me out! No, I really do love our late night talks.

And with Cara, I am the one creeping into her room trying to see if she is awake. Only it’s in the middle of broad daylight. Trying to catch her between a nap has been difficult these days, but I guess she has good reason, being outside all day teaching swim lessons or getting up early for swim practice.

Ok and speaking of sleep, last night I had the craziest dreams! I’m pretty sure I was yelling in my sleep, so lucky for Liz and Sarah that we aren’t roommates anymore! Well… Liz could sleep through an explosion, so really, lucky for Sarah! I was yelling at my doctor because she couldn’t understand what I was saying when I was telling her what was wrong with me… that, my friends, is a sign that I have been to the doctor way too much these last few weeks. Not a fan of the bi-annual check-up-a-thon that happens every time I come home. But hey! At least my teeth are clean and my skin is clear, and my contacts are ready, and I’m immune from diseases!
Ok someone I know told me they were getting a colonoscopy, and you know what I thought of? This. It’s the funniest thing. Ever. Can I just say I love Dave Barry? In 11th grade English, we had to read a column weekly, and every week I would laugh so hard at Dave Barry’s columns. I need to get back to that! Also, I’m going to put my shameless plug in here that everyone who is old should get a colonoscopy! Encourage your people to do it! Cancer is no joke, and after my family’s scary encounter with possible cancer, it’s so worth it!

Oh yeah, and this week my family has been placed in a new ward. Capshaw ward… I don’t really understand why they didn’t just call it Monrovia ward… only I’m not really sure what Monrovia is in the first place. It’s not a city… or a county… or a anything… we just call the area “Monrovia”. Ok maybe that’s why they didn’t call it Monrovia ward. So yeah, new callings to come for my parents. I guess it doesn’t affect me too much since I am in leaving in about a month. Oh yes. Only a month till Provo!! And only 4 weeks until my GRE…………. Ugggghhhh I’m DREADING IT!! But when it is over, life will be significantly better.

Well, I’ll end with this. Party Rock Anthem. Great song. Part of the soundtrack of my summer. I learned of it in the beginning, and I haven’t stopped listening to it since.

Unbelievable

So it’s a joke how long it has been since I have written in my blog… good thing no one reads it! And if anyone ever did… they don’t anymore! I’m not sure my 2 posts really portrayed how wonderful my time at BYU has been, but hopefully I can illustrate that a little better as I recommit to updating this thing a little more religiously…

Unbelievable. That is one word I would like to use to describe my life right now. Really. Truly. Unbelievable. This word has new meaning to me ever since my flight back home for the summer. I met a wonderful man on my connecting flight from Denver to Nashville. He was an older, good ‘ol boy, headed back home to Murfreesboro, Tennessee. He just visited his high school sweetheart, whom he had recently reconnected with over Facebook. He told me the last time he saw her before this visit was right after they graduated, when they said their goodbyes as they headed in their own directions. They exchanged “I love you”s , and then that was it. They both were married to other people, had families, and both ended up divorcing. He preached to me of his belief in destiny. They were meant to be together. How else would they have happened upon each other over Facebook that one day? And he says since they reconnected, he hasn’t used his Facebook since. According to him, It served its purpose.

When he first saw her off the airplane, they were so excited they bought t-shirts that said “Unbelievable.” Corny? Yes, but I could not hold in my elation as he was telling me his story. I was grinning real big the whole time, asking questions about her, asking questions about him, and just floating at their amazing story of love. She is a business woman, while he works in a factory. I mean really, the odds just sound fantastic. But just watching the emotion, excitement, and adoration that man had for her was enough to fill my heart. And then on top of that, we passed over a thunderstorm (at night), and I saw what has now made the top of my “most beautiful things I have ever seen” list.

I feel like I have plenty of reasons to go to the store and get my own custom made “Unbelievable” shirt. These last few years that I have spent learning about myself have been amazing. I have met all the people that fit best for my optimal personal growth. I have been handed opportunities that don’t come to everyone. I’ve been sent to a wonderful family that supports me and cares to know how I am doing, even when I am away. My roommates are some of the best people I’ve ever known. And I still have the contact with the people I love that are in Alabama. I have been blessed with great health. Shoot, I’m living the American Dream! But I think a lot of us find that we are living the American dream. Even though there are always struggles, God always wants to bless us. Sometimes all we need to do is ask, and sometimes he just gives it to us anyway.

Oh and a shout out to myself! I’m turning 20 this weekend… I guess I’m old now. But excited about this new era in my life! The 20s! You always hear such great things about them! So bring it on year 20! I’m ready to become the person I’m desitned to be!