Thank you Google/the rest of the world for reading my mind

Good to see I'm not the only one with this question [: Made me chuckle.

PS... what is it about weddings that just puts a smile on every girl's face?

Beats me. But it sure has that effect on this one. Happy Fridayy.

Wrappin' things up

Before the summer adventures really start up in, I want this for the record. The last week of my first year of college. I don't know how this is possible, but it pretty much went without a hitch, which I definitely didn't expect to happen considering all I had to get done in five days. That's definitely not saying there wasn't any stress, though; my jam-packed studying regimen was interspersed with packing sessions and preparing for the final cleaning check. It was so good to have my parents & siblings to join for meals and spend a little time with to keep me sane. I witnessed at least three emotional breakdowns on campus during the week of exams - the atmosphere was pretty tense to say the least! But that didn't stop anyone from having a little fun. In fact, I'd say it instigated much of it to a certain degree... Anyway, without further ado here are a few of the escapades that went on during the last week of my freshman year:

I found my new happy place in Provo, Rock Canyon, and ran past the temple and up to the trailhead

 as often as possible to de-stress and be out in God's creation & the breath-taking

geology of the place. Right where I'm happiest.

Another method of stress relief: Crush The Castle. It's an online computer game that 

my best friend David and I used to duke it out over back in the high school days. Not only did it bring back

fond memories, but who ever gets tired of knocking stuff down with rocks flung by a trebuchet? 

Pfft not this girl.

Many an evening was spent studying in the library, and when one has been holed up in said 

library from 7pm to 2am, strange things start to happen. Work that pose, Davie. 

The weather was absolutely wonderful; the epitome of spring! I spent every chance I got 

to study outside on the grass. Just look at that scenery. 

Final exam technique: Take that little extra time to look presentable. Then if a test is bombed

 you can at least have the assurance that you looked good doing it. Fortunately no tests were bombed but

 the extra little confidence boost that comes from feeling pretty is never a bad thing to

 have during times like these.

Nate & Sarah's wedding reception was a blast. They are the world's cutest couple, hands down.

I can't help but smile just thinkin about it! Ahh! We are all so happy for them. Sarah fits right in with 

our family but still brings her own energy and just plain fun attitude to the
table. I love her!! Nate, ya done good. [:

My last night in Provo, I was up late studying Biology when I got a call from my buddy Zach, who demanded I come to Denny's with the group for a last hurrah. My voice of reason told me to stay home and finish up my studying, but my spontaneous self took no heed. Last night of being a freshman? It's time to party. So off we headed to Denny's at 3am for breakfast. After plate upon plate of pancakes, hashbrowns, and eggs for all, Jared tried what none of us were brave enough to even touch - the Maple Bacon Sundae. I just about gagged while typing that haha. Brave soul, that boy. Just look how excited he is. All in all I couldn't have asked for a more fun way to wrap up my freshman year.

The following day I took my last exam, packed up the rest of my dorm, checked out, and them we were on the road & homeward bound. I spent a few hours of the 16 hour drive talking with my parents, but eventually my finals week sleep deprivation caught up with me and I crashed, only to wake up hours later to this:

Happy girl? Yes. Very happy girl.

And then unpacking took forever but it was fun.

Home sweet home. 

 Until August, my dear BYU. It's been real.

There are no words for this. [:

Because firstly, I've never been more purely, simply happy then I am right now. I'm with the people who mean the most to me, in the place that means the most to me. I am home. No words to explain this feelin. And secondly, a certain furry someone keeps walking all over my keyboard and headbutting my face while she purrs up a storm... I'm lucky to get four words down before I get smothered again.

 But I'm pretty happy to see her, too. [:
Someday I might write about finals week & the adventures that went down, but right now... I got bedda things to do.
Year #1 of college under the belt, and four months of break ahead. My life is so good.

Holy final exams, Batman!

Conversation at the Commons entry desk at lunch today

Me:  Hey! (hand my card to card-slider guy)

Card-slider guy:  Hey there. How's it going? (slides my card)

Me:  Not bad, how about you? (take my card back)

Card-slider guy:  It's goin alright! I like your shirt.

Me:  (totally serious) Thank you. It gives me special powers when I take exams.

Card-slider guy:  (awkward silence and unsure smile. Nervous laugh.)

Me:  Have a good day! (Smile and walk past)

This is my winter skin. I'm about two shades away from
Edward Cullen status. Don't get too jealous.

I was blessed with my father's sarcasm. Sorry, card-slider guy. I realize that was probably extremely uncomfortable for you. Anyway, though I was kidding with that poor boy, this shirt does bring me good luck to some degree, no doubt about it. First of all, BATMAN. Helloo. Anything related to that guy in any respect must possess extraordinary power. And secondly, there are some pretty great memories attached to this here shirt. So the happiness level automatically goes up about ten points. Yep I'm pretty fond of it. Win. Anyway, it is the accumulated awesomeness of those facts that precipitates my wearing of this shirt whenever I need a boost. Meaninggg the next six days. Today: review sessions & studying. Friday: more review sessions & studing. Saturday: take exams, hit my cousin's wedding reception, and MY FAMILY GETS HERE [: [: [: Sunday: church, pack, hang out with the fam and review a bit. Monday & Tuesday: take more exams. Wednesday: take my last exam, check out of the room and then it's hasta la vista, P-town. I'm bound for the Evergreen state. Soo that means no more of this thingy till then. Adios, blog. It's exam butt-kicking time.
Six days till this beautiful scene meets my eyeballs:

 [: Makes me so happy I think my face could just bust from smilin so big.

Alright magic shirt, I need all the help I can get. To the Batmobile.

I'm gonna miss these girlies. A whole lot. Is this really my last week of classes? Is that possible? Am I really almost done with my first year of college? I almost kinda want to go find Neverland and just stop with this whole "growing up" business.
9 days.

I miss these people

Just a little missionary magic

Today is a very good day. Big fatty letter from my Brazil-bound best bud = extra good day. Of course that's what goes through my head every Monday as I resist the urge to go shred-zilla & instead carefully open the envelope in order to preserve the little doodles and sketches that decorate it, then walk home so absorbed in the pages that I run into things (no joke, I dodged the stairway railing just in time today). Missionary mail is some of the most inspiring reading you can find on this planet. I literally cannot stop smiling after reading his letter today. Hearing from my friends in the field never fails to make me want to be better, do better, and know every single thing about this gospel so that I can do my part in the work. I know without a doubt that the missionary program is the best thing these boys can be doing with their lives right now. Missionary work is amazing.

Seriously... how can that not brighten your day a bit.