Concerning The Head and the Heart and Waffles

Last weekend some good friends and I went to a concert in Salt Lake City. We went to see The Head and the Heart, which is a band we listened to a lot this summer. One of their songs we considered our theme song, “Rivers and Roads.” This song talks about how friends will move away and things will inevitably change. It spoke to all of our hearts because even though we knew we would not be best friends forever and eventually, things will change, we will always have the summer to look back on and remember as one of the best summers ever. So when they started playing the song, we pretty much lost our minds. The whole experience was great, and definitely a night we will always remember. As I started the next week after that fantastic weekend, I contemplated all the wonderful friendships I have made over the years. It is really sad how friendships start to fade. Of course it is inevitable, but sometimes I think about how much I just want to see everyone I love who I am no longer able to see regularly. This past week I also have been craving a certain breakfast food that reminds me of my childhood! Waffles. They are so delicious with their fluffy, yet crispy, texture. I had the best waffles of my life while I was at my aunt’s house visiting a few months ago. So, one morning, when this urge for waffles was particularly strong, I decided it was time for me to make an investment in a waffle maker. I went to the store, picked out the waffle maker that seemed to fit me best (aka the cheapest), then came home so EXCITED!! To me, it was very clear what I needed to do with this waffle maker! I am going to have a waffle party!! I’ll invite all the people I love who I haven’t seen in a while, and we can all enjoy some delicious waffles as well as catch up on life. I’ll definitely include details on how it worked out when it happens! Can’t wait!

The Perks of Having a Lawn

One of the things I miss the most, living in Provo city and in an apartment, is having a lawn. Having a lawn to walk in, to play croquette in, to chase my dog around in, or to lie in and watch the stars in the privacy of my own property is one of the small things I never fully appreciated while I was home. Mowing the lawn used to be my favorite chore because I could just ride around the lawn, listening to music, thinking about all the things there are for a teenager to think about. I loved it, and I can’t wait to do it again. The apartment complex I am at now is a little special. I actually do have something of a lawn in front of my apartment. It’s a little plot of grass, maybe a little bigger than my living room. I love it so much. I spend my Sundays sitting out there, reading a book or just enjoying the beautiful weather. I know it’s kind of an old person thing to do, or maybe just a southern thing, but I seriously love sitting out on my front lawn for hours. I don’t even have to be doing anything in particular. Just sitting there, watching the people and time go by. There’s just something about a little bit of green grass that makes me exponentially happier. Kind of like the first day of spring, sitting in the grass just brings warmth to my soul. The grass is always greener…. When it’s where you live.

Summer Set

Yet another summer has come and gone. And what have I done? Oh man, so much. Can I just say this has been the best summer EVER!! Unfortunately, all good things have to come to an end; however, I won’t let that stop me from having fun NOW! As the new semester has started, it’s once again the time for life evaluation and goal-setting. Which I love. I love feeling like you have gotten somewhere in life, as well as setting new goals for where you want to be. Always moving forward, that is how to live life! Otherwise, you get in a state of complacency. Which, in my opinion, is one of the worst feelings ever. The complacency started to hit me around mid May. I was working at a call center and for a catering company. And…. Well that was about it. I was working. And nothing else was happening. And then I realized something. I had all these big plans and things that I want to do, but I just always pushed them to the future. I realized that I always say “someday maybe” and “when I have more money or time.” Then the moment of revelation came, as I was standing on top of the Y on the mountain screaming YOLO (you only live once) with my friends James and Hannah. Why do I always put things off to be done another day? Why do I constantly push opportunities that will make me happy for later? And that was it. The next day I planted a garden. No, I have no land. And no, I have no special talent in growing plants. But it is my dream to one day live of the fat of my land. So, why not start practicing now? And judging by the outcome, it’s a good thing I started practicing now because it is going to take me a while before I get the skills to live off my land. My garden was not very successful this time…… but next year it’s going to be great!! Also, I think the pot might have been too small for the 8 plants I planted. That is 2 okra plants, 2 tomato plants, 2 cucumber plants, and 2 pea plants…….. looking back…. That seems like a bad idea. They had a great start, just didn’t make it much taller than 6 inches.

This started a chain reaction. I decided I was going to live more in the moment. So what did I do? Went rope swinging.

Jumped off a bridge because my friends did (take that, Mom! Ha!).

Went camping. Floated down a raging river of death…. Until my tube popped. Twice.

Elephant Revival

Beach house

Band of Horses

Road trip to Moses Lake, Washington, the cutest little farm town in all the land, to surprise Hannah for her birthday!

Experienced Hobbitville, creating my own scary story to tell! Hiking all over the most BEAUTIFUL MOUNTAINS.

Cliff jumping

Rock climbing

Ate a cheeseburger on top of a mountain after INTENSE OFF-TRAILING.

Completed my first triathlon.

Fishing

Sliding rock- the natural water slide. Bowling in the local park (yes, my friend has a set of bowling pins and a ball. “Just in case for emergencies!” Went star gazing, where I made the most epic wish on the most epic shooting start at 11:11. (Which came true, by the way). Had some fun BBQs. Spontaneous dance parties. Flag football!! What what??

Sand volleyball! Hula Hoop routine.

I was thrown my first SURPRISE birthday party! Including being kidnapped by Santa…. Every kid’s dream, right? 7 peaks weekly- the best water park EVER! The Spin Park!

Paddle boarding down The Great Moses Lake.

Midnight dip in the local golf course pond. Deer Creek Reservoir followed by Dairy King - home of the best blueberry shake of my life.

Pawn shopping for road bikes. RANCHERITOS BEAN AND CHEESE BURRITO OBSESSION. Dance Central and Mario Kart. Taught a girl from Laos how to read English. What Makes Life Hard essay party. Farmers Market in The Great Salt Lake City. Buddhist temple tour. Soccer games and hospital food.

Croquette. A lot. Liberating Bicycles.

Intense ultimate Uno. Every Sunday night. Experimental music listening parties. Started new job- working with disabled adults. All in all, I would say that this was a great summer for making dreams come true. I seriously had the best time. I’m glad school is back in because I can continue on my way to making my career dreams come true. And it turns out, I am much closer to making those come true than I thought. So don’t sit around waiting for life to happen. Make it happen.