Avi

Meet Avi. She is my Uncle Michael's chocolate lab. This weekend Avi and I had some bonding time.  

I gave my very first dog a bath.  I was just chillin' at my grandparents and decided Avi needed a bath.  For being a well behaved dog, I did have to put her on a leash so she didn't leave with shampoo all over her.  It was a lot of fun. She even did the dog thing, and shake the water and shampoo off, and yes it got on me.  Afterwards, Avi and I took a nice walk to my aunt's house.  

Me and Avi after her bath. It took a couple pictures to get her looking at the camera.  

But I did decided after this delightful night, I think I want a dog. Like when I graduate and have my own place.  They really are man's best friend.  It's better and I think easier to actually interact with them.  Plus, they listen much better than cats :)

Well Here it Goes

So a month ago today, my summer plans changed from what was perfectly planned in my head. Funny how those perfect plans never really seem to happen. It's like Heaven Father has His plan for you, the real perfect plan.  

There's a song, I've mentioned it before "A Little Bit Stronger" by Sara Evans.  Today I just smiled as I sang along, especially with this part.

Doesn't happen overnight but you turn around
And a month's gone by and you realize you haven't cried
I'm not giving you a hour or a second or another minute longerI'm busy getting stronger

...

I know my heart will never be the same
But I'm telling myself I'll be okay
Even on my weakest days, I get a little bit strongerI get a little bit stronger

Stronger. That's what I've learned. That's what everything is about is learning. Everything happens for a reason. And there is a time and season for everything.  There's so much I've learned and experienced in the past month that needed this change to occur.  It's looking at things with your eternal eyes.  

Well, with this strength, I've decided to become stronger in my self confidence tonight.  Poetry, I might have mentioned it before, but I somewhat write.  I'm a closet poet.  I don't really share, a good friend of mine, Trevor, actually got me started. (Read his poetry) It's a great way to get things on paper. Trevor has asked to read them, but I am always to nervous to share.   So, strength is myself... I'm going to share a few more with you. (Previously posted poem)  

The Waiting Game

Waiting, waiting and some more waiting

That's all we seem to do, wait

Always waiting for time to pass

The seasons to change, or line to move

Waiting for the future to be now,

Things to occur, today to be gone

But ever wonder what we are missing

As we play this waiting game?

As the wait goes on, regrets pile on

Chances are lost and reflections made

One day when you're waiting some more 

You'll look back on the past and wish you had more

Wish you enjoyed the little things first

That just make you smile

The Fall

My heart skips a beat

Telling me he's in the hall

A glance is all it takes

Across my face shows it all

Secretly hoping and waiting tonight

To hear the sound of his call

In in arms I want to be

Having him call me his precious doll

A Heart's Dilemma

Torn and confused is what I am

With so many places my heart's been

Hanging on to what once was true

Hoping again that I'm for you

Yet a different path catches my eye

Pulling my heart is another guy

What direction to take, which path to choose

Anxious and nervous, I'm afraid to lose

Losing you, all that we had

So many memories, the good and the sad

Missing the chance to take a new road

One that's exciting, daring and bold

So here in the state I must be

Until comes the day that it's you and me

The Road

A road traveled by just a few

One that's exciting and so very new

Unweathered by rain that came in the past

Maybe one traveled as this, the last

Stepping out into the dark unknown

This the path to which it was blown

To take a first step is just the start

Someday to find, this, the part

Well, there it is.... I feel like this accomplishes to much I've learned and blogged about in the past, just to name a few

Communicating

Risks

New Things

Strength

Nationals or Bust!

okay.... so it's been awhile. Life was busy. I know, it's summer, how can it be busy. Well, let me tell you. This last week I went to Nationals! Woot Woot! So excititing. Nationals for what you ask? I went to ASCE National Concrete Canoe Competition in Evansville, Indiana! Yes, I did compete and race in a concrete canoe that I helped make. (In case you forgot or are new Read Me!)

Since writing EVERYTHING that happened this weekend, I'll give some delightful highlights.

New States: I have now been to Texas (in the airport, but I do have a shirt) and Indiana. Let's just say both are very HOT and very HUMID

Fireflies: Oh my goodness, the coolest little bugs ever. The song "Fireflies" by Owl City, so much better now.

My Team: So amazing. We did awesome for our first time at Nationals. It was a blast. We placed 16th out of 23, 21 which were returning teams. We placed 10th in presentations and also took home Honorable Mention for Spirit of Competition. Oh man. So much fun. Great to see all our hard work worth it.

After finishing Women's Endurance Race

My Concrete Canoe Team

Chacos: okay, so I probably once said that I would never wear or own chacos. Well I did and I do. But let me say, so glad I had them. Made canoeing much better than sogging tennis shoes. Also, great thing, I have a mini chaco tan line! Pretty good for just a couple days and lots of rain. So its a start.

My Family: My parents flew out to see me. Made me SO SO happy! I am so glad that I got to see them. I love them so much and miss them. I am so thankful they came out. They were a great support, ringing cow bells and cheering us on the whole way.

Well, that's a "Brief" summary of my trip to Indiana. I know I'm missing tons, but tried to hit the delightful highlights. 

Space Ranger

So today, I decided to clean. Out of all the things I can do, this is what I decided to spend my Monday doing?! Yeah, well I made this discovery. I am pretty sure that my vacuum is an undercover space craft.

First off, it doesn't look like a normal vacuum. It folds up and down. Crazy. I had problems with this. Second point. When I started vacuuming it sounded like my vacuum was preparing for take off. Seriously. Not normal vacuum sounds.  So yes, I live with a space craft trying to pose as a vacuum. Luckily for me, it sucks.... you know dirt up. So my floors get clean and the space craft has somewhere to call home.

Dancin' in the Rain

What a weekend.  I went up to the good ole Cache Valley for fun some (and some work too) It was a great weekend.  This weekend the held a regional YSA dance outside. Outside is important, because let me tell you about Logan weather.  It rains and snows at the most inconvenient times, for instance, Friday night, during an outside dance. But don't worry, it didn't rain on our parade. 

Me, Jay, Shli, and her roommate headed out to have some fun. And fun was had.  It was a blast dancing in the rain.  It's like playing in the rain, but SO much better.  Plus, this night was an awesome success because not only did I get to dance with some handsome men, I learned to dance, like really dance.  

A couple of my friends are on or were on ballroom dance teams, so they taught us to Cha-Cha, Samba, and swing and this was to songs you normally wouldn't think you could ballroom dance too. Such a blast! So glad that I got to go up. 

 I think I'll add dancing in the rain to my bucket list just so I can scratch it off, I can do that right? I mean it's my bucket list.  Pretty much, this was awesome and for all you who were in Logan and ditched out, you missed out.  

The Edge

So you know what I love? Of the many things that I do. Cranking of the stereo and singing at the top of my lungs and just rockin' out in my car, or anyone's car for that matter. Though, for me, this is best accomplished alone in my car.  That's what's great about my drive to work. It's 15 minutes on the freeway, plenty of time to rock out. Oh man, I love it! Usually it's better on the way home, a) I am more awake and b) the work day is over.  It's just the best feeling in the world, to not care who sees you singing along, and jammin' out. 

The hit song right now "The Edge of Glory" by the lovely Lady Gaga.  It's the perfect rock singing jammin' along and rockin' out the whole ride home song.

Home

He's Home!!! One of my best friends growing up is HOME!!! He got home today from the Santiago Chile Mission. And I am so excited! If you can't tell.  :)  Here's us before he left, a whole two years ago.

I can't believe he's home, well then I can, because it seems like forever since I've seen him.  I haven't talked to him since he's been back, it's been a whole 6 hours. But I was just so excited that he's home I had to share my excitement! Hopefully soon we'll get to talk.

Bucket List

1. Play the organ at Kent Concert Hall at USU

2. Play the organ at the Logan Tabernacle

3. Play the organ at the Salt Lake Tabernacle

4. Visit Paris and London (Europe in general)

5. Design the floor plan for my house and have it be built

6. Own a horse

7. Ride a Tandem Bike

8. Become a True Aggie (before graduation) WooHoo!

9. Go to Graduate School (questionable) ... so let's say graduate college :)

10. Drive an actual racecar

11. Own a pair of Jimmy Choos and/or Christian Louboutins

12. Visit all 5 Disney Theme Parks (Anaheim, Orlando, Tokyo, Paris, Hong Kong)

13. Go to Celine Dion in Vegas

14. Outdoor Rock Climbing

15. Learn to drive a motorcycle
16. Hike Juniper Trail
17. Climb a 5.10
18. Dance in the rain
19. Learn to drive a manual
20. Visit Alaska
21. Visit Washington, DC
22. Roadtrip across the United States
23. Stamp in my passport (Canada doesn't count)
24. Visit the Golden Spike
25. Ride in a helicopter
26. Go to Africa
27. Go to Fiji
28. Go to Temple Square with a BF (Secret bucket list)
29. Go to Disneyland with a BF (Secret bucket list)

**Senior Year Bucket List**
1. Camp out for BYU Basketball game (It was way to cold and too much work, this got vetoed, but I did watch the WHOLE game, nice and warm inside)
2. Become a true aggie
3. Watch entire Stars Wars (all six)
4. Wear sweats to school, and confuse everyone
5. Get an A on exam (3 this semester, woot woot!)
6. Get an A in a class

A Day To Myself

So... I'm not in school. That means I should have tons of free time right? Wrong.  I seem to keep busy. But with working 40 hours a week, IWA, two institute classes, concrete canoe, FHE, and a million other things. I seem to keep myself pretty busy. But today, today was a day I was going to just veg by myself.  And I must say, even though I had some moments, it's been a pretty delightful day. 

A run-down

SUNSHINE! The sun came out, and I layed out on the porch and enjoyed it while having a nice conversation with my new friend Jay.

Cleaning: Okay so room wasn't that messy. A few things out of place from being gone last two nights. So tidy up

Writing: Writing the final letter to my friend who gets home TUESDAY from his mission!! YIPPEE!!! SOOOOOO excited (a post later)

Helping roomie move in.  Service: Forget yourself and serve. It will bring you happiness.

Organizing: Organized my wallet and purse and computer (a bit) a great feeling to have everything in order.

And now... blogging.  Getting my thoughts out there for the world to see and reading what's on your mind today.

And after ... a little Hulu action.  I am pretty sure I am going to catch up on this week's Bachlorette.

Yup it's a beautiful thing. Time for yourself. We all need it most definitely. So have yourself a delightful Friday night. I know I sure will :)