i'm officially in my twenties and that's just weird.

Summer is awesome because when it's at it's best it's no makeup, hair that smells like chlorine, and just the right amount of sunburn. Summer is also hard because (among other things), my life has far less structure, which then makes my blog posts far less structured too. Not that much changes from day to day for me, so it's hard to feel like I have anything worth sharing here. Which isn't true, of course. Thoughts and feelings are always worth sharing and who the heck cares if what I write here is riveting, because it's my blog anyway which means I can do what I want (#yolo).

I only have 9 more days of work left, which has it's pros and cons. The sad part about a job you only work at for a few months is that right when you start to really get the hang of things and love the people you work with, it's time to leave. That really stinks. Also no more free desserts, that also stinks. Then again, that's also a pro because I'm completely serious when I say I've gained some weight since starting work at the bakery. Another pro is that I won't have to wake up at 4:10 anymore. Because there is absolutely no way you can slice 4am to make it enticing, there just isn't.

In between these 9 days of work left, there is a really anticipated trip to Oregon, which I am thrilled for because 1) first vacation of the summer, 2) the tillamook cheese factory, 3) a week with my family, which is the best, and 4) Daniel is getting back off his mission.

Daniel. My favorite cousin, the one I'd be friends with even if we weren't related, the one we make really cheesy but also cool movies with, the one who I have so many inside jokes with my cousin once told us she can't follow our conversations on facebook at all. That Daniel. To say I am excited would be an understatement. This is the man that will someday be my fellow Divine Comedian (once we both make it - note to blog readers: goal). It's been a long time since I saw him, and Oregon never felt the same without him there, so this is going to be the trip of a lifetime. That's a hyperbole, because it's really not a huge deal, but whatever.

I turned twenty on Tuesday, which is super cool and super intimidating too. For pretty much as long as I can remember, when people have asked me my age the answer has ended in "teen". Maybe you can remember saying you were 8 or 9 or whatever, but I sure can't. THIS IS A BIG CHANGE PEOPLE, and it's going to be like this for the next ten years of my life. Also, the twenties are so officially "adult". There's no excusing lame behavior with "well, she's technically still a teen", but rather it's more like "why in the world is she incapable of washing her sheets as often as she should, she's twenty!". Cry with me and say goodbye to teenagehood. You did me well, 19. Phew, 19 was a big year, can we just talk about that? Lots happened and I really grew and found myself in ways I didn't fully expect or anticipate. Plus, a year ago who would have been able to predict I would be preparing for a mission right now? The prophet, maybe, that's who.

Which, oh yeah - I'm going on a mission! So thrilled, more on that later though (I think it deserves it's own post, which I will do after I receive my call, which should be in 2-3 weeks).

Anyway, let's all just raise a glass to the teenage years, which included my first real job, my first kiss, graduation from high school, my first speeding ticket, my first year of college, learning to clog, declaring a major, and ugh, puberty.

And let us toast the twenties! Which holds who knows what, I'm not going to assume marriage and stuff because then if it didn't happen in the next ten years I'd look back and be like "ah, how embarrassing" and then I'd go feed my pet cat and sleep in my unwashed sheets.

Cheers and stuff.

the long and short of it

If this summer had an official name, it'd probably be something like "Wasting My Life Away And Having An Epiphany Every Other Day That I'm Wasting My Life Away".

But really.

Today was supposed to be so productive and full of things that really need to happen, but then it wasn't. I suppose I babysat Amalie to help Trina be productive, so that counts for something, right? But then out of the blue I have get this headache that decides to just stick around for a while. And now it's after 8 and I haven't eaten dinner but nothing really sounds good right now. Actually, a lot sounds good right now, but nothing that sounds good also sounds worth the effort - you know the days? So who knows if I'm even going to eat dinner tonight.

But enough with the moaning. I want to tell you about my weekend, because it was one of the best ever, one of those weekends where you're just like, "that was precisely what I needed" and you begin the week feeling rejuvenated and whole.

The 4th of July is probably one of my favorite holidays, but I never remember that until it comes around and then I think, "oh that's right - I love this day!", which is always a pleasant surprise, I suppose. It's full of food and family and usually a fair amount of outdoor fun, and those things are the absolute best, in my book.

Thursday started with work, but I didn't even mind all that much. Afterwards I got ready lickety-split and was able to catch the end of the parade, and then for lunch there was a barbecue with ward friends and boy do I like them. The afternoon/evening was spent in Alpine with my family hosting our very first Lewis gathering in our new house. Which, if you know Lewis gatherings, is quite the event. This was awesome in and of itself because we were never able to play host in our old house because we lacked the entertainment space, but now we've got it and finally being able to do that was a wonderful feeling. We ate delicious food and played volleyball in the backyard and in the evening after everyone had left, just the immediate family headed over to a park to watch fireworks. We were there because that was one of the designated places in Alpine that fireworks were allowed, but honestly I think that's how it should be every year because it was just this big firework fest that of families sharing their fireworks in a totally unorganized fashion and I loved it.

I had work off Friday, which meant I was able to spend the night at home, which honestly meant so much and made me enjoy my 4th so much more, knowing I didn't have to race back to Provo that evening. I woke up to a phone call from best friend Christian inviting me to go to Deer Creek with his family and spend the day on their waverunners. And really, can you say no to that? So that's just what I did, and it was so wonderful. Cafe Rio and Harry Potter in the evening with my family, so enough said.

Saturday morning my family went to the temple to do baptisms, and it was Cami's first time. Boy oh boy was that amazing. What an experience to be there with the people I love the most, and to see Cami there for the first time. Needless to say, we were all emotional. IHOP afterwards where Natalie was in one of her silly moods, and let me tell you - those are the best. Star Trek in the afternoon with friends and back to Provo. Sunday was wonderful as well, as it always is.

You know the biggest realization I came to this weekend? My family members are my favorite people in the whole world. Given the choice of who to hang out with, I would honestly choose them. I'm lucky enough not only to love my siblings and parents, but to like them as well. I would hang out with them over my friends any day because I get along with them the best, and I genuinely enjoy their company. I don't know how many people in the world can say that, but there sure are a lot that can't, and I'm so grateful I'm able to. I brought this up to my sister and she pointed out how much that says about the way our parents raised us. She's right, of course - so thanks, Mom and Dad.

Anyway, this summer is turning out to be one of the best ever, despite a lot of challenging things. I'm learning more about hard work and self-discipline than ever, and I'm grateful for these experiences. Life is good, despite this headache.

in case any of you thought i wasn't serious

I totally did it, and it was great.

I'm never more inspired than when I'm in nature. 

in which i'm distracted in record breaking time

It's been two weeks since I last posted and that's because I've been simultaneously busy and unproductive, you know?

Okay, this was totally unintentional, but I'm ending this post early. It was originally intended to catch you up on my life as of late slash muse about life choices and stuff, but in the process of thinking through what I would write I decided I'd much rather do something more exciting that finish this blog post.

So imma look up when the sun sets today and make plans to climb a tree and watch it happen. I know that's hours from now, but yolo, right?

mixed berry pie and volleyball

Five days ago I started working at the BYU Bakery making desserts. That's right - my official title is legitimately "Dessert Specialist", aren't you jealous? You should be, because there are some days where they "mess up" some mixed berry pies by making them "too sweet" and so then I end up having a delicious breakfast (that's really bad for me but yolo and stuff).

And this week has been full of mixed emotions. I mean, my alarm goes off at 4am so I can make sure I have enough time to ride my bike across campus and get there by 5, when my shift starts. And that's just, you know, awful. Because there's no scenario where waking up at 4am 5 days a week all summer is enjoyable, there just isn't. And sometimes I think to myself, "Why in the world did you take this job?" and then I think of how this is going to be the next three months of my life and I almost lose it. But then once I get there and am making things, it's awesome. Because where else can you make 43 sheets of brownies for the missionaries at the MTC? And food - I mean, you all know that's my favorite. 

So then when I get off my shift around 9 or 10 and ride back through campus I'm thinking "Wow! People are just waking up and I've already accomplished so much!". And I have this super cute beach cruiser bike I'm borrowing from my sister for the summer, which is awesome (and really bad with hills, since I know you were wondering what the bike to work is like). But then I get home and cancel out all that good by taking a nap. And once I wake up I'm like "What's the point of getting ready if I'm not even going to be able to socialize tonight since I have to get to bed early?", so I sort of mope about how awful my life is. 

But it's not. And I know that. And I really am so so grateful I have the opportunity to work at the bakery. The job itself is not at all bad - I really really like it, I like the people I work with, and I like dessert. Really I just need to get used to this schedule and figure out what works for me. Also working at a bakery is awful for trying to stay healthy because 1) "messed up" dessert, and 2) my shift covers the best time to work out. But, you know, I'll figure it out. Eventually. 

In other news, nothing. This week was all about work. 

Okay I guess that's a bit of an exaggeration. My brother Garrett graduated from high school last night, which is awesome. And also last weekend was so wonderful and Monday the Lewis family played 7 full games of backyard volleyball (this is a really big deal that I participated in all of them because the rest of my family happens to be athletic prodigies and I'm the one who makes a fool of herself most of the time). BUT. I just went for it (growth mindset, yo), and it was so fun. Lots of rounds such as married vs. non-married, and Lone Peak vs. the world (half of our families live in Alpine and attend Lone Peak). Also, COOKIES. That wasn't the name of a round of volleyball or anything, but we had literally hundreds of cookies leftover from my cousin's farewell the day before (and that's not even a misuse of the word literally). 

Anyway, life is good, dessert is good, and family is good. The end.

content in a blissfully happy sort of way

Tonight I went up to Alpine for dinner with the family at my Aunt and Uncle's house (where my family is currently residing while in the process of moving). It was an absolutely delicious meal and we decided to eat it out on the back patio, and my oh my was it perfect. There were quite a few moments throughout the night when I just had to sit back and think "This is incredible. This is real and this is love and this is happiness." Because it was.

There was the moment when we were all dying of laughter as Garrett described running into a glass door in an office building. Or when Natalie tried to convince us she could read minds. Or when everyone sort of lulled about afterward and I leaned against the railing and looked out over that beautiful hometown of mine and felt so much gratitude for growing up in such a wonderful place. Or when we all went on an evening walk to the new house and Katrina and I cuddled and giggled in bed like we used to back when we were 10. Or when we all sang a hymn and said a prayer together.

Or when we were leaving and in saying goodbye I gave everyone at least one hug and there were kisses from Mom and Dad telling me he was proud of me and I almost got teary-eyed because there was so much love in that room and there is so much love in my life and how lucky am I?

I live such a blessed life. It's moments like these that make me realize that, and moments like these that encourage me to keep on through the drudgery of finding a job and everything that comes with daily life.

These are the moments that make life so incredibly worth it, you know?

the girl who stayed in p-town

Sometimes it's hard feeling left behind while everyone goes off and accomplishes great things. I talk about things I want to do with my life (like travel) and then it never happens, and I guess that's really all my fault because I don't make it happen. And I could, you know. I'm at such a great time in my life to do that kind of thing but maybe I'm just a scaredy cat or something. I guess it just feels like everyone I know is heading off on a great adventure, whether that be a mission, study abroad, or marriage. And here I sit in Provo doing nothing because I don't have a job and wondering if this is the right choice for me right now. I know I can't doubt the feelings I've had regarding my current plans, but sometimes it's really discouraging, you know?

But enough of that melodramatic whining. I finished finals and I'm looking for a job and I have great roommates and you can feel summer in the air, so why shouldn't I be happy? I've got no good reason, because I am so incredibly blessed. I've got some great things to look forward to this summer, too. Plans that involve being productive and making memories and preserving memories (I miiiight take up some form of scrapbooking... and by that I mean I might print off some photos and stuff them in a book without any cutsie things). There are also many plans to finally read some books this summer that I've been wanting to finish. Any suggestions are MOST welcome in the comments. And by that I mean PLEASE recommend some books to me.

Life is so good, let's not forget that!

the pacific northwest and the head cold

Well, I finished working.

It felt like an absolute dream. My last day at the snocone shack was the 13th, and the day after that half of my family left on a trip for Oregon! It was just me, my mom, and Cami (though we also picked up my cousin along the way), and we went to celebrate Grammy's 80th birthday.

(Back story: In case you didn't know, my best friend and sister Trina and her husband Tanner were living out in Tennessee this summer while he sold pest control. And then of course my sister was pregnant, so that was unfortunate because we didn't get to baby her or see her cute little bump appear. The plan was for them to drive home this recent weekend, the 18th and 19th [consequentially when we would be driving back from Oregon as well), and we'd all just have a jolly reunion Sunday night.)

We got to McMinnville Tuesday night (my cousin's house) then went to spend a few days at Grammy's in Dallas. Wednesday night, however, we returned to McMinnville for dinner to celebrate my cousin Rosie's birthday.

When my mom and I walked in we were thinking something weird was up, because everyone was looking at us sort of expectantly and awkwardly standing around watching us come in. I honestly thought we had maybe walked in on a prayer because things were just odd.

But THEN.

We see this random girl cutting something at the counter, and she turns around and it was Katrina!

Ah, my gosh. Guys. Seriously this was the best. I've had a few surprises before, but this was probably the best one I've ever experienced. Because I had absolutely NO idea or inkling this would be happening. Most likely it was pulled off so secretively because Trina had just decided to fly out and join us the day before, so there was hardly any room for anyone to blow the secret.

I definitely stared at Trina for a good 10 seconds with absolute disbelief because it didn't add up that she was there, and then I was feeling like it was the most natural thing in the world for her to be there and I had to remind myself she was supposed to be in Tennessee.

Ah. So good.

So the rest of the week was filled with helping Grammy out with some cooking and cleaning, going to the coast and building a wicked sandcastle, visiting the Tillamook Cheese Factory and getting some delicious ice cream, picking wild blackberries and making jam, and celebrating Grammy's birthday. It was such a fun weekend and made all the better because Trina was there to enjoy it with us after being separated from us for 3 months.

So we came home, Trina and Tanner found out the gender of the lil' babe (GIRL!), and I finished off my last two days of work at the call center. Unfortunately, Monday evening my throat started feeling sore and I woke up yesterday with an awful cold that made me feel like I was swallowing a bunch of rocks. About 5 this morning (45 minutes ago), I woke up and felt the cold had moved up. So I am now sitting in bed with a roll of toilet paper next to me, trying to feel better. Huzzah!

The good news is I move back to Provo on Friday. I am so thrilled to be in an apartment off campus and to be moving in with my awesome roommates! More to come on that, hopefully.

So there's a happy little story and update about my life. I'm sorry I'm not very consistent with taking pictures and such. If you'd like to stay updated on my life more frequently, you can follow me on twitter or instagram, both with the username @annaelizalew. For example, you would have had current pictures of me and Trina after the surprise, the wild blackberries we picked, etc.

Anyway, for the time being I think I'm going to watch a couple episodes of Ned's Declassified on Netflix since I sort of doubt I'm going to be able to fall asleep for another few hours.

Remind me to sanitize my laptop tomorrow morning.

an update

I'm a big fan of summer, when it comes down to it. And I've loved this summer... mostly just for the spending time with my family part, and the summer weather (because summer nights in Utah are the very best in my book).

But honestly, this summer has been pretty monotonous for me. I work anywhere from 20-40 hours a week between my two jobs, and on the days when I work both of them, I start my exodus to work at 11:15 and don't finish until 10:30 that night. It can be quite exhausting and I'm frankly just ready to be done with it. The redeeming value of talking to grumpy people and/or getting myself covered in sugar water is that I'm making money. And it's a comfort to know I (hopefully) won't be starving this year.

And let's be honest, people, I'm 19 and all my guy friends are about to leave on missions, or already have. I'm cool with it, and so ready to make new friends this next year, but while I sit at home I find myself surrounded my mostly girls, and we all have schedules that are hard to coincide. Needless to say, I'm going to be thrilled to move back to Provo in a couple weeks.

I found myself daydreaming about being in class the other day, that was pretty weird. Because up until then I had just been thinking about all things college related minus the school work and classes. I also find myself thinking up delicious meals I can make, planning out how I'm going to organize the apartment with my roommates, creating a scheme to hijack some new friends.

Wait, what?

Yes, so maybe my plans to make friends are a wee bit diabolical and involve seducing people to my apartment with nutella and crepes . . . but really, could you pass that up? (Yes I'll try to make some real friends too, because I don't want to only have nutella moochers as friends.)

Anyway, let's get this fall ball rolling!

Before all that can happen, I have 5 shifts left at the snoshack, 8 shifts left at the call center, and a 6 day excursion to Oregon with my lovely mother and Cami. Lemme tell you, that trip is going to be such a welcome relief.

all in all

I started this 8 week healthy living challenge with my mom on Monday. It involves drinking lots of water, eating correct servings of fruits and vegetables, monitoring your sugar intake, working out, and some other stuff. So far, I love it. Some of it is hard. Like when I work at a snocone shack and I just want some peach with cream on top. But mostly it's really good, and I already feel better.

I've always appreciated holidays, but I think I appreciate them more now that it means no work. Because I can't tell you how delightful it was to leave the call center yesterday knowing I didn't have to come back today. I'm really grateful for this country I live in, and all the freedoms I enjoy. Want some good patriotic and funny videos? Try this one. Oh, this one is good too and my family quotes it all the time.

In other news, my mountains are burning as we speak. Those fires in Utah just got personal when they hit my hometown. Really humbling and sad to see the beautiful mountains up in smoke, and hear of so many relatives and friends having to evacuate. Prayers would be much appreciated.

Went back to campus the other day, and golly did it make me miss it. Walked into the library and the smell greeted me like an old and musty friend.

Anway, I'm sorry I've been bad at writing as of late, and I plan on being better. Maybe taking more pictures, documenting more moments, and reflecting on more things.

My life is monotonous, but it's a great kind of monotony. Because frankly, things are quite good.

truth is

My life is pretty much the same most days.

Occasionally I slip in something fun and exciting. But truthfully, most days I wake up later than I mean to, rush out the door, talk to people for 4 hours, come home, and finish the book I started at work that day.

Most days I just look like this.

Which is cool and stuff. I don't mind (don't mind reading so many books, either. it's quite the delight).

Here's some words of wisdom for you all before I part though:

If you're going to pay money so that when people call you they can enjoy "music while your party is reached", at least pick a good song, okay? Because picking anything akin to the Cotton-Eye Joe or music that would be played in a marching band festival is NOT A GOOD CHOICE.

Also, my sister is pregnant, just in case you were wondering. You could say I'm ecstatic (that might be an understatement though).

neverland

I finally might have a job.

Well, three actually.

Which is more than I could have asked for and I am so happy about it. And so blessed and pleased that things have worked out so well for me.

I also just finished a book tonight. One I'd read before, but was still completely enthralled in nonetheless. Some people I've talked to don't like reading books more than once, but I can't seem to get enough of it. If I find a book I love, I'm definitely going to read it again, because I want to feel that happiness again. You know?

Anyway, now that I've finished it, I'm suffering from a serious bout of PBD (Post-Book Depression). I'm bedridden, actually.

So. I realized that when I get up tomorrow morning, there's not going to be as much freedom to lounge around and wake up when I feel like it, reading my book as I do so. And tomorrow I'll even have to say some goodbyes to my best friend/sister Teo when she and husband move out to Tennessee for the summer. That's no fun. And then I have my food handlers to get sometime throughout the day, as well as call that one place to work out my schedule but only after the other place gets back to me and let's me know my shift there first.

So, there's like... responsibility and stuff.

Which is cool. I mean, this is what I want, right? Yes, it is.

But.

There's still this little kid in me that wants to do nothing all day. I have the desire to just forget about that food and rent I'll be paying in the fall, and just go to Seven Peaks next week despite the training I should be doing. Because, I mean, it's finally getting warm and I'm just going to be cooped up inside all day?

And I really just want to start another book because books are the best and provide such a lovely distraction from real life sometimes. I also want to hop on a plane and visit my best friend Maddy, because I miss her like crazy and she gets me like other people don't. So I could just be completely silent with her and never feel the need to fill that silence. I'd be perfectly happy. Oddly enough, I wouldn't mind seeing Phoenix either, despite the dreadful weather right now.

But, even though my heart is aching to cruise in the jeep with a snoasis and not a care in the world, I know I've gotta do some responsible stuff.

Because I'm growing up and things are just like that.

the slug club

So far my Summer has been filled with a lot of sluggish activity. Sleeping in, eating whatever I want, reading books, running errands for my mom, checking facebook again, watching Downton Abbey, getting out of my pajamas at 4 in the afternoon... stuff like that.

It's been nice, of course, don't get me wrong. I know so many would kill to have a little bit of time with that sort of behavior.

But... a little bit of time. Right? Right.

I've had about a week and a half of slugging and I'm starting to get a little sick of it. Not so sick of it that I'll stop enjoying it, but just enough that I need something to do with my life besides sit at home and play the Pride and Prejudice sheet music yet again.

Like a job. Yes? Yes. Only problem is, that's tiring. I was on the job hunt again today, and it felt so much like two summers ago, the one where I placed about 30 applications before I got a job. And no, I didn't just do the applications. Of course I faithfully followed up, so it's not like I was slacking off or anything.

Ah. It's just... so exhausting sometimes, you know?

In other news, I lost two followers today on the blog. Not a big deal, truly. Or at least it shouldn't be. But I feel like some of my children have moved out of the house or something, so I'm just really excited to still have you here. You're like my babies. I'll probably spoil you rotten with... blog posts?

Yeah, that doesn't sound too delightful, sorry about that.

Sometimes I wonder what would make this blog better.

Oh! Good idea, self. Let's go to the readers! Tell me, what do you like on this blog?

Do my continual rantings about life's mysteries bore you?

Are you simply thrilled when you get to hear about my daily life?

Do you wish you saw more pictures of my beautiful face?

Do you think I should be more creative with my posts? Perhaps you want to see me write something more creative?

Or maybe whatever.

This is kind of weird. I'm sorry to come to you like this, so last minute. But, you know... yeah. You should comment, because comments make me giddy with delight. I feel important for a bit when I get a comment. So... go forth. Go do.

Love you, children.

that's a wrap

Well, my first year of college has officially come to a close.

The finals are done, the room is packed, the keys have been turned in, the goodbyes have been said, and I am sitting in my old room enjoying my bed.

It was bittersweet leaving the dorms, but mostly sweet. Remember back in July and August when I was freaking out because I didn't have a place to live and I only wanted Heritage and then finally I gave up that hope and trusted Heavenly Father knew what he was doing and got a place in Helaman?

Yes, well. I'm so grateful I did. Because those dorms turned out to be a lot better than I could have imagined. And my roommate turned out to be the best roommate on the planet. And that ward turned out to be right where I needed to be. I am so grateful for each person I met, and especially my hall. Oh, you're getting bored because you don't even know them and you've already read 5 other blog posts by people finishing their freshman year? Here's a clip to liven things up.

Nah, just kidding. I had one all ready to go that's great, because it's our hall doing mattress dominos, but I'm too lazy to figure out how to post it here since it's not mine.

Anyway. Despite an awesome year, I'm really happy to be home. I can't believe I lived in that cramped space for a whole 8 months, and I am thrilled to be near a kitchen again. Not to mention a private bathroom.

This year was great. A lot of things were incredible, but there were a lot of things I wish I'd done differently. And you know, that's okay. Because we learn from our mistakes. Next year I plan on putting myself out there so I can make more friends. Also, next year I also have awesome roommates. Get excited.

Needless to say, I am ecstatic to be here in my bedroom with summer beginning. In less than a month, Snoasis will be opening. And if you know what that is, I'm sure you understand my excitement. If you don't, you haven't lived until you've tasted one of their snocones. I'm pretty pumped.

Oh, but tonight I'm going to the Ingrid Michaelson concert. Huzzah! Remember how I went last year too? Well I did, with Kendra. And now we're both going again.

Which means I should probably get out of bed and attack the day, since it's noon.

consequently

Boy, am I sore.

My family and I just returned from a wonderful camping trip down to Zion's. Only a few major hitches to the plan: Trina got sick and couldn't come, so consequently my mother and Cami stayed home as well. That made it me, my dad, Garrett, Natalie, and Tanner.

It was still a blast, mind you. Unfortunately our plan to hike the Subway from top-down (which included about 4 pools of ice cold water to swim through) was thwarted when we found 3-4 inches of snow at the trailhead. We opted to hike bottom-up, which was just as long and probably more grueling in many cases.

Consequently, my body is aching all over today. It feels good in a lot of ways, but hurts so much when I walk down stairs or lower myself into a chair.

I have missed pretty much every review for my finals that start tomorrow, and consequently have all but given up. Instead, I'm gorging myself on goldfish and the last of the cadbury eggs while writing a blog post (ps, not really, mom. i'm still going to study and stuff soon).

My beloved car has died. The one I drove for half of high school, the one who took us off-roading. The one that I ate many a snoasis in. The one that was perfect for warm summer evenings when you could just let your arms hang out the open top (and feet, too, if you really wanted) and cruise to the sweet melodies of Ingrid. Yeah, he's dead. Indie (Indiana Jones) is gone. For good. Apparently there was much smoking and stuff when he drew his last breaths. I only wish I could have said goodbye. Especially to his smell, because there is nothing quite like it.

Consequently, I'm currently going through withdrawls. How am I supposed to enjoy the summer without Indie? I don't even remember how I did it before he came into our lives. I'm pretty sad about it, if you can't tell. I mean, I'm posting this on my blog.

The school year is almost over. Consequently, I'll be moving back home and saying goodbye to a lot of people. Including my roommate. Remember when she posted this? That was just a small taste of how incredible she is. How many of you could honestly say your roommate would do the same for you (it doesn't count if your roommate is your spouse, ok)? She's pretty much the best. Like I said earlier, we're pretty different. But we are so perfectly suited as roommates. I'm nervous I've been completely spoiled this year and next year will be a big slap in the face. I've been so blessed and lucky, and I'm really grateful the Lord put me here in Helaman, in this building, in this room.

Also, I don't understand some people. So when you figure the human race out, let me know. For now I'll just try to muddle through and make things work.

My Freshman year is all but finished. Consequently, I've realized I really need to figure out what to do with my life. I've been an open major for a full year, and while people tell me not to stress, there is a necessary amount of stress I should be feeling. I'm trying to find something

a) I'm good at

b) There's a need for in this world

c) I love

I'm also trying to figure out what I think about when I'm not thinking about anything.

I'll let you know when I've figured this out.

Yeah I Know

It's kinda been a while since I posted. And an even longer time since I posted anything good. Maybe something spectacular is coming in the future - I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

For now, I'm just trying to keep up with all the blogs out there that I read, because I enjoy it. And I sometimes feel guilty for not posting myself, but my life is pretty busy.

As in, my best friend/sister gets married in 5 days. Yeah I know, awesome, right? I'm a bridesmaid (woot!). We also had a very nice bridal shower yesterday. Yeah I know - totally great free food (speaking of the word totally - what is with this new trend to abbreviate it to "totes"? i feel like my iq drops a few points every time i hear someone say "obvi i def totes love you." Yeah well obvi i def totes hate you when you abrev like that).

Oh, also as in I occasionally work. And by occasionally I mean whenever I can and whenever my managers decide to schedule me. Which, unfortunately, can't be way too often as of late due to wedding plans and such.

Another as in is my determination to finish the Potter series again before 7.2 comes out, which I gratefully got early showing tickets to Thursday evening (otherwise, there was a good chance i wouldn't have gone, what with the wedding and such. so don't be jealous). It'll happen, don't worry. Did you know Watergardens theater is showing Deathly Hallows part 1 this week? Yeah I know, def totes cool.

I also will be an official adult a week from today. Well, the day of birth celebration is a week from yesterday, but I wasn't trying to say the day of my birth, rather just stating the fact that next Sunday I'll have already reached the age of 18. Yeah I know - dry ice!

Anyway, hopefully there will be some pretty cool posting in the future. Including my graduation, which, yeah I know, I never posted about. But I promise it happened. I also am thinking I may throw in pictures of Preference (yeah i know that was back in january) and Prom, because I said I'd post that, and I'd hate to be one who doesn't follow through.

Not much more to say, so have a lovely day.

Confession.

Sometimes (read: most of the time) after I swim,

I don't wash my hair, just because I love the smell of chlorine so much.

It's summer, you know?

Mmmm

...That right there was a sigh of summer loveliness.

I just got back from SoCal with my best friend in the whole world (more to come). I also graduated over a week ago and had the best experience ever with graduation because I have such an awesome life. It's summer, and life keeps getting better.

You know when you get super sick of typing/texting? It's happening right now.

So why am I writing a blog post?

Well, I was just blog stalking on my super cool new computer, reading about classy people doing classy things as they enjoy summer. And I decided I will go class it up with one of the classiest people I know (how many times can I fit 'class' into a sentence? A lot.). But first, I thought I'd assure you* that I will be posting things soon. Interesting things that maybe you will stalk and say "classy".

Ta ta for now!

*Because, obvi** you are crying since I haven't posted and me and my posts mean the world to you. Yes, really we bloggers all apologize for not posting, but it's not like it's something to apologize about, because people most likely definitely didn't miss us on the world wide web (most likely definitely is such a contradiction - I adore it). ''

**So what. I just abbreviated obviously. Deal with it. Sometimes, it happens.

Today

Something about today just screams summer.

This morning I woke up refreshed and happy after the most incredible evening at Knightstock. Music, games, Tangled, hot dogs... everything was perfect. You know how sometimes you go to social events and you are by a few of your friends, but you look around and are sad because some of them are elsewhere? Yeah, well no problem last night - nearly all my friends were all in one large group, laying on the grass and cuddling up in blankets.

Then after waking up, I ate Captain Crunch. Umm... yes. That means my dad went shopping, because my mom never gets Captain Crunch.

I took Jack (dog) out to go to the bathroom, and realized what a perfect day it was. The sun was shining, and there was a slight breeze, not too hot and not too cold. I lay down in the grass and just enjoyed the moment with my dog.

I decided it was time to pull out my paints. And a pretty good idea to do it outside.

At noon, I went to a tea party. Yeah, like a full-blown tea party. None of this wimpy stuff. We all looked adorable and there were cucumber sandwiches and 7 different kinds of herbal tea. We drank out of real china and played games.

I came home, and proceeded to paint some more.

Garrett and I just went to get some food at Taco Time and Barbacoa.

And I'm about to head off to an early graduation party, where there will be both friends and fire. Both of which basically make any party cool.

s'il vous plaît venez vite

I think it may be colder in my house than out.

Someone, tell me this is a sign summer is nearing, please.