The Cold Never Bothered Me Anyway

It was hard to pay attention in class as there was a crying child outside. She was so loud, and after seeing all of the fun things the BYU preschool kids get to do I could not imagine why she was so upset. As I was being pulled out of class I honestly had no idea what was going on. One minute my teacher was leaving the room to take care of a crying little girl and the next she was asking me to go out with her. Um... I knelt down in front of the little crying girl and with tear-stained cheeks she shyly smiles and says, "Elsa?" I go with it. After all, she stopped crying. She asked me if I was really a snow princess. I say, "Yep!" and hold out my always freezing cold hands. She puts hers on top and a huge smile breaks out on her face as she yells, "I KNEW you were real!" Then, she happily skips off to wherever she was supposed to be going before she saw me through the window. My teacher explained to me later that after she saw me she insisted on meeting me. My blonde hair in a braid and purple eye-shadow must have made me look like Elsa. I'm glad I could make this little girl's day because she absolutely made mine! That is two little girls thinking I am Elsa within a couple of days. Winning. 

Do I look like her? I guess to little girls I do!

Going Out with a Bang... Literally

Last Friday I made a fifteen hour trip to Arizona. Yep. A one day trip for my internship. The girl I was with was insanely upset. I had fun. We had to wait for the future adoptive parents of a foster kid to drop him back off to us. We waited for forever. Good thing we had caves, an animal sanctuary, and multiple little shops to explore. Like I said, I had fun. It was a long trip though, and I had a hard time recovering. Saturday we were out late to watch a fireworks show in Cedar Hills, Sunday I was up fairly early for a RS breakfast, Monday was rough with work and then a court hearing for my internship, and by Tuesday I was so tired that I fell asleep in the middle of my favorite show. Long days and short nights are what makes summer, summer. With all of the summer activities I guess it is time to get back to the point of this blog post. So, Meghan and I have been together every Fourth of July since freshman year. The first year we watched the stadium fireworks from outside of the stadium sitting on a blanket, last year we did the same and went to the Utah Symphony fireworks show at Thanksgiving Point, and this year we decided to really go out with a bang. Literally. Let's make our last Fourth the best one yet. First, we went to Seven Peaks. Then, we got dressed in our red, white, and blue and painted our nails so we could be extra patriotic. Then, we watched Miss Congeniality and went to a BBQ. Then!!!! We went to the Stadium of Fire which is the largest fireworks show in the nation. Let me just say I have a woman crush on Carrie Underwood, Studio C still isn't that funny, and Flippenout is an amazing group. But seriously, Carrie Underwood. She sang so many songs and she is amazing live! And guys, the fireworks. I love fireworks. So, my Fourth was filled with friends, Seven Peaks, a concert, and so many fireworks! Saturday was filled with more fun, Seven Peaks not once but twice, and an outdoor movie. It has been a fun weekend to say the least. During the second trip to Seven Peaks a little girl was talking to her dad about the snow princess. He said, "Oh, Elsa?" She replied, "Daddy, the cold never bothered me anyway!" and pointed at me. He turned around and smiled and then asked her if I was Elsa. She said, "Yes, Daddy, I've been trying to tell you!!!" I have achieved Elsa status. I need no more out of life. Also, I have freckles galore and my hair is actually its blonde blonde again. Summer lovin'.

  

Always remember... At the end of the day your hair should be messy, your feet dirty, and your eyes sparkling.

Red, White, Blue, and Blonde

You probably thought this was going to be a Fourth of July post. If that is what you wanted stop reading now. This post is about puppies. I want a puppy so badly. I know it is going to be hard for me to go home after graduation. I also know a puppy will help. Honestly, I am going to need a friend more than anything when I get home, and something about having to carry a giant Dalmatian dog down the stairs multiple times a day just doesn't do it for me. I need someone who is mine. Someone who will love me unconditionally. I always told Fenway he couldn't die until after I graduated college. But, it was my best boy's time before that. I can never replace that sweet boy, but I am in need of another friend. I do not care if it is blonde, chocolate, lilac, champagne, black, red, or blue, but I hope my momma and dad will let me get a Boston puppy when I get home. 

  Just in case my mom needs a few more cute faces to convince her... 

 

 If the answer is now yes then... 

And, if the answer is still no...

Summa Summa Summertime

Summer has given me time. Time to think. Time to read. Time to worry. Time to enjoy myself. Here are a few things that have come into my mind and a few pictures from my adventures as of late. 

1. I have a horrible thought right now that I don't need friends. I am about to leave. Why should I make an effort to make new friends? I know what it is. It's my way of coping. I hate saying goodbye, and the less people I have to say goodbye to. Lately I have been spending time with new friends when I forget that I am not supposed to be getting close to more people. Then, right when I remember I pull away. As is life. I am happy but confused. I want to go out and have fun, but I am so tired of being hurt. I am tired of being there for people whenever they need me only to be left in the dust when they no longer do. I am tired of the so-called friends that never talk to me unless they are bored or need something. I have a few really good friends here, and I feel like that is all I really need. We have been told that we hate endings because we are eternal beings. I like that my fear in goodbyes is justified. I don't want to lose people I love. I don't want to be easily forgotten. I want someone to miss me when I'm gone. I want to keep some friendships alive while I let others go. Maybe this is all just a fear of change... a fear of what life will be like when I go home. It may be a loss... of friendships, my independence, and some of the things I have always hoped for. Then again, it may be a time of gain for me... a chance to gain new experiences, figure out what I really want out of life, and a chance to start again. I don't know. It could be both. Still, inside me there is always that fear of what's to come. This coming year fills me with anxiety of the unknown. In times like these I am so thankful for the friends that are always by my side and those that never fail to make me smile. 

2. Right now, it is a huge thing that the leader of the Ordain Women movement was excommunicated from the church. I felt bad for her. She just wanted to make a difference, as wrong as it was. At first I was really upset. I knew how media would take it: someone with a different opinion was kicked out. This movement has been an eye-opener for me. I don't want the priesthood and feel like acting the way some in this movement have would make me feel like I could not sustain the church leaders, but I do sustain them and love and respect them dearly. Although it makes me sad that the Young Men have a bigger budget then the Young Women organization, Relief Society activities are almost always crafty things, and you do not need any women to form a group, branch, ward, or even stake, I know that I am in the true church. It isn't perfect, but it is true. Heavenly Father knew what I was going through. He always does. So, I usually read one chapter from my scriptures a night. I was very behind but finally caught up on Sunday night. Somehow, the night I was calling into question everything that is happening I came to 3 Nephi 14: 15-20 which says, "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore, by their fruits ye shall know them." That made sense to me. I feel so much better now. 

3. Fun is coming! The fourth of July I am going to a Carrie Underwood concert with fireworks afterward. My last Fourth in Utah is going out with a bang. Literally. The next weekend I will be hiking the Narrows in Zion National Park. Camping+hiking+a river= I'm in. Let's do this! A week and a half later I will be heading to California. Family, beaches, and adventure. What more could I ask for? I have also started my final class and love it. It is in my top five favorite classes. Better yet, there is no final! The final is a party. I am so close to being done. 50 days from today I will be walking across the stage in a cap and gown. Adventures, a fun class, more work, my internship continues, and then I will be done. So exciting! Also, I have a very nice tan, and my summer is only halfway over. I cannot wait for my graduation pictures. I will actually be tan! That in and of itself is worth not walking in April for. After a long winter I would just look pasty in that navy gown. But now... :) I love summer so much. I need it to be summer all of the time! My only real summertime sadness other than the fact that I will be leaving at the end is the fact that I have to wear pants to work. It's a pretty great summer so far. 

It snowed in June. Utah... 

This is normal at BYU. :)