It's So Hard to Say Goodbye

Last week was my last week of my freshman year of college. I'm so bummed it's over, but I'm glad for the break from classes. I have had the opportunity to meet new people and make new friends who have ultimately become some of my best friends! They have helped me grow and mature, and I'm so grateful for all of them!
On Saturday, my friend Loren came over and helped Jenn and I move all of our stuff from our old apartment into our new apartment. If he hadn't come to help, I don't know what we would have done. It took 3 trips with his car. And I don't think we could have carried it all over there! But we told him we owe him dinner when we are all back in Rexburg, and we fully intend to pay up! He was a HUGE help! After that, my grandparents came to get me for the weekend and I stayed at their house until Monday night when I flew out. On Sunday, we went to my Aunt and Uncle's for dinner after church, and my aunt, who teaches karate, taught me how to flip someone over my shoulder if they come up and try to choke me from behind. Then 3 of my cousins, who are 4, 6, and 8, and I all practiced on each other. It was really fun!
The next day, Monday, my Grandpa taught me how to drive a stick shift! I did pretty well, in my opinion... I had some difficulty starting out, because I kept stalling... But I hear that's to be expected the first time driving stick. Later that day, my grandparents took me out to dinner, and then they dropped me off at the airport for my 6:00 pm flight to Salt Lake. I spent about an hour and a half in the SLC airport, and then I flew to Los Angeles. I had quite possibly the most round about trip home ever. I don't even know how long I spent in the LAX airport... But I finally got on the flight to Atlanta! I think I went to sleep, but I'm not entirely sure. I got into the ATL airport at 5:45, and I met my dad at the bag claim. We got home around 7:15, and I went and joined seminary for a couple of minutes. After that, I got ready for the day, and mom and I went to her orthodontist appointment, kohls, target, and then we got some lunch at chick-fil-a. Oh how I've missed it! That night, I took Ryan to his mutual activity and got to see my friends! It was so good to see everyone after so long! Today, mom and I went to the mall and  I got some face wash and eyelid primer that I was running out of. Then, we met dad at his office and then we went to Figo for lunch. After that, mom and I went to the Verizon store because my phone had been freaking out, and I ended up getting a new phone. I took Ryan's upgrade and got the Iphone 4. How awesome is that? We came home, and my friend MaeLena came over with her daughter Eden and hung out for a little while. It was fun to see them again, and we're going to have dinner with them sometime before I leave again for school on Monday.
I'm so grateful for all of the friends I have made, and in case any of them ever read this, I wish them the best of luck in their endeavors and would like to thank them for the way they have impacted my life and inspired me. They were always there when I needed them, and for that I am grateful. So, thank you!                

Spontanaeity

The past couple weeks have been completely amazing! Last week, Jenn's family was in town to see Jenn's sister dance in Savior of the World, so we all went to that together along with our FHE brother Jake. It was an absolutely amazing show, and I'm so glad that I had the opportunity to go.
This past Monday, I got my boot off!! I was so excited! Although I wasn't too thrilled about the snow that was falling that morning... But I got my boot off, and I've been so happy ever since! My FHE brothers made me a pinata in the shape of my boot as a de-booting day present. And in place of a stick, they let me beat it with my boot! It completely made my night!! I'm so grateful to be walking on my own feet. I'm not allowed to run, so I went and walked at the indoor track in the BYUI center while my roommate and FHE brother ran.

Jake is the one who made the boot pinata

 Me and the pinata

 Colin and Jake were trying to figure out the best way to string up the pinata

 It fell off the stick so I beat it with my boot while it was on the ground

This weekend has been so much fun! Last night, Jenn, Taja, and I were the only ones home, so we decided to have some fun. First, we went chalking and wrote motivational notes on the sidewalks of Greenbrier.

Me and my chalky hands

 Jenn drawing her flower

 Stairs with inspirational messages on them :)

 Return With Honor (We went bottom up)

 And Good Grades (A continuation of Return With Honor)

 Me with my notes

 Jenn had chalky hands too

 She got green chalk on my face

 It's pretty important

 Definitely a must for the testing center

 Can't really take a test without a pencil...

After we went chalking, we walked to Maverick to put air in Taja's bike tire, but apparently they charge for air, and nobody had $.50 so we walked back. But at least we got our exercise! When we got back, we decided to eat some dinner. So we packed a dinner and went to the fields and ate there in the dark. It was great! Afterward, Taja and I went to Beaver Dick park with my friend Loren and his friend Alex and skipped rocks (or attempted to). I'm not very good at skipping rocks. We dropped Alex off, and then we went to Loren's brother and sister-in-law's apartment and made peanut butter cookies. They were delish! We got home and then Taja and I crashed in the living room. I finally made it to my bed at 3:30 in the morning.
Today, we all slept until 10, and then we got up and watched conference. In between sessions, Taja and I went to Broulim's and got stuff for lunch, Walmart to get a kite, and then we came home and met our FHE brothers and drove up to the fields for yet another picnic. This one was an adventure because it was EXTREMELY windy! Colin and I held the blanket up like a sail and jumped. We actually moved. it was quite entertaining. After that, we watched another session of conference, and went to Broulim's yet again, this time to get stuff to make chili and cinnamon rolls for dinner. Both of which turned out delicious, and I will definitely be having a cinnamon roll for breakfast tomorrow.
I've been super busy lately, and that's why I haven't written in a while... It's finals week this week, so it may be a while before i write again, but next week, I go home!! I'm so excited to see my family and get to spend time with them! And I can't wait to see my puppy Licorice either! (Even though she's 7 and not technically a puppy, she's still my puppy!)