What a year!

So 2012 was a big year! There were happy and sad times. Laughing and crying. As I sit at the kitchen table at my parents' house, I can't help but reflect on the year and smile at the memories. I have changed a lot this past year and I am so different from who I was a year ago. Progression is a good thing and as I look forward to 2013 and all it has in store for me, I get a little excited. The year 2013 is going to be even bigger and better. I am graduating, (hopefully) getting a job and moving out of Logan where I have lived for the last three years. But the good doesn't come without the bad. Leaving Logan also means leaving some of the best friends I have ever had and that will be incredibly hard to do.

And so I sit here at the table staring out the window at the freshly fallen snow and thinking about the past year, I notice the light bouncing off the white snow and it catches my eye. And as much as I don't like snow, I have to admit that it is beautiful outside. And I realize that everything that has happened - good and bad - is in the past and my future is as bright as the snow out the window.

And with that, I'll leave you with this picture. The view from my window of the peaceful and snow covered world outside.

Snow and Service

People always seem to be a little more thoughtful during Christmas. But I'm glad to see that people are still caring even after Christmas is over. It gives me a little hope for the future.

This morning I left for work and I knew it was going to be a scary drive even before I gotten out of the driveway. The roads were unplowed and it was snowing hard. But I took it slow just like my mom had always taught me to do in bad driving conditions. It took me twice as long as normal to get the gas station. My little door to my gas tank was frozen shut and I couldn't scrape the ice off until a kind man cam and helped me open it. He stayed and talked with me while I filled up my car to make sure I made it on my way.

I slowly drove to the freeway as I worried about whether that would be plowed. The city roads were not. The on-ramp was covered in snow and slush and I could feel the tires spinning as I tried to get my car onto the freeway. I started getting really nervous and wondered how I would ever make it to Salt Lake. My plan was to stay in the far right lane and just take it slow. I barely made it 1,000 feet on the freeway before I slid off the road. My whole body was tense and my heart was beating fast. As soon as my car came to a stop I lost it. I sat on the side of the road crying my eyes out. I called my parents and they were going to come help push my car back to the road.

As I was waiting and watching all the other cars drive by, a big truck pulled off the road and out jumped four men. They came over to my car and offered to push it out. They were able to easily get my car out and going again. I was so relieved and grateful for their kindness. They told me that they were spending their morning driving around helping people who had slid off the road. Who even does that? It showed me that there really are nice people in the world. So I am taking their kindness and I am going pass on their act of service to someone else. It meant the world to me and if I could make the same amount of difference in someone else's life, I would be happy.

So after an hour and a half and never even making it out of Layton, I decided that it wasn't worth trying to drive to Salt Lake. So I am back at my parents' house writing this post and reflecting on the good people left in the world. I want to be one of those people.

I'll be home for Christmas

I finally get to go home for the Christmas break tomorrow. Maybe that will make it feel more like Christmas. Despite the holiday decorations and Christmas shopping, I'm not feeling very Christmas-y. I'm having a hard time realizing that Christmas is in two days. Well one really if you begin the festivities on Christmas Eve like my family does. It's weird for me to think that in a few short days, Christmas will be over. I definitely missed the Christmas season this year.

Maybe it has to do with the fact that I am still in Logan in an empty -- well, nearly empty apartment. I'm pretty sure there's a roommate or two still around but I can't be sure because I never see anyone. So I'm still in Logan and working. I am working full time over the break and it sucks. My job can be so incredibly boring sometimes. Most of the time, actually.

Or maybe it's because I missed out on a lot of the family Christmas traditions this year. I missed concerts and plays, service projects and breakfast with Santa. And I haven't even made it to Temple Square to see the lights yet. I'm not sure if it's going to happen at this point but my fingers are crossed.

Or maybe it's it's because I've missed out on all the Christmas preparation. Decorating the house, putting up the Christmas trees, setting up the nativity. One of my favorite Christmas-y things to do is watch my dad watch Christmas Vacation. Seriously, though. Watching him watch it is one of the most entertaining things and is sometimes better than watching the movie itself. Maybe I can talk him in to watching it again with me. Despite the countless times he has seen it, the reaction is always the same: uncontrollable laughter.

I'm really not the Scrooge this all makes me sound like. I really do love Christmas. I just wasn't able to do all the things I look forward to every year. I did get to see The Forgotten Carols with my family last week. That's probably been the highlight of my Christmas season. I love the message it shares and it's a wonderful way to spend a winter evening with the family.

So tomorrow I am heading south to my parents' house for the holidays. And you better believe that I am going to make the sure the next three days are jam-packed with Christmas cheer.

xoxo,
sam

Dear Boys: Split Personality

Dear W,

I finally saw a shooting star.

You weren't here to share that moment,

But I still enjoyed it.

Sam

Dear Lion,

I'm still waiting for that phone call.

Impatiently waiting,

Sammy

Dear Castle,
I miss what we had.
I didn't realize what it was until it was gone.
Now I have only myself to blame.
Your friemd,
Sammy

Dear MB,
I think you're the greatest.
Ever.
Seriously.
Love,
Sam

Be Brave

A few days ago, my friend posted on her blog about being brave which prompted this post. Bravery is something that has been on my mind for a long time. It's something I'm struggling with now. I have this fear. This crippling fear that sends me into a panic and prompts an anxiety attack whenever a situation arises. I am now facing this fear head on and I am trying to be brave. I want to be brave. But this fear, it has such a strong hold on me and my emotions. Whenever I have to face this situation, I worry about it for days. It consumes my thoughts and I can't think of anything else. I lose my appetite and and I can't sleep. There is this constant knot in my stomach. It's hard to function normally.

But I am trying to be brave. This is a trial in my life and I don't think I will ever fully overcome this fear but it is something I am trying to work on. I have chosen to do something that forces me to face my fear. It's not going to be easy. I know it's going to be hard. It's okay to have fears but it's not healthy for that fear to take over your life to the point that makes it difficult to function.



I hope I can do this.

End of semester thoughts

The timing is a little late because of finals and projects. But now that my worst semester is over, I feel totally valid about writing in my blog. I don't feel guilty because I am not working on some project or studying for some test.

I have good news to share: I got an internship! Starting in January, I will be a communications intern at Logan Regional Hospital.

This is all happening so perfectly. I am only taking two classes so I will have time to work and do my internship. The arrangements couldn't be better. Next semester shouldn't be nearly as busy as last semester was.

This semester was the most crazy, most stressful, most trying but most rewarding semester yet. Every hour of my day was scheduled and at times I felt like I was so hopelessly behind with no hope of catching up. But I feel a sense of accomplishment now being done. I am that much closer to graduation and with the most of my classroom learning behind me, I am ready for the experiences my internship will bring.

Breaking Point

This is what my breaking point looks like.

• Senior year and taking 18 credits
• Several group projects and papers due in the next three weeks
• Working two jobs
• Applying for internships/grown-up jobs
• Attempting to overcome a severe, anxiety-causing personal issue
• Exhausted all the time

Yes, this is my life. Jealous?

Officially Worried

This semester I have been a TA/tutor for the beginning newswriting class. This mostly means that I help students with their articles. I have been appalled at the quality of writing I have seen. I even had to tell a student once that "Yes, you do need a period at the end of every sentence." I mean really, how can an individual be in college and not know the most basic rules of writing? I don't understand.

Needless to say, this makes me the tiniest bit worried for the future...

And then this just says it all. (I apologize for the language but it's just too funny not to share).

Shame on me

For the last couple of days I have wanted to write about something that has been going on in my life but I haven't been able to put my thoughts and feelings into words. But I need to write about it and try to make sense of all of it. And because this is so personal, it is hard for me to write about it. This might be pretty vague but I don't feel like being specific and naming names will achieve nothing. But to those who are close to me, you will know what I am talking about.

There is this person in my life who I used to think the world of. I enjoyed talking to this person and we could talk for hours and hours. I felt like I could talk to him about anything and I did. I was falling for this person. Shame on me. But he was falling for me too so I thought it was okay. But then everything suddenly changed. We never talked anymore and it was like an overnight change. Like a switch had been flipped. I tried to talk to this person but I only got one word answers and the conversation would quickly die. I would try to make plans with this person but he was always "too busy" which had never been an issue before. It was hard to accept. I felt like this person didn't want anything to do with me and I didn't know how to handle it. I was so confused about what was going on and I lost a lot of sleep thinking it over and over.

I know now that he had found someone else and I sincerely hope that he is happy. But I have to be honest and admit that I am hurt. I did not see this coming and was completely surprised when I found out. I feel like he at least owed it to me to tell me himself. Maybe an apology or something.

So here I am feeling depressed and questioning my self-worth. I have been trying to figure out what I did wrong and why he was suddenly not interested. I was blaming myself. But today I realized that I need to move on and that he isn't worth my tears. Looking back on everything, there had been signs that it wouldn't work from the very beginning and I had ignored warnings from my friends. From this point on, I will be strong and act like it doesn't bother me and one day it won't anymore. I refuse to let him see how hurt I am. I will be stronger than that. I haven't decided if a friendship with him is something I want. I haven't talked to him for awhile and I'm not sure if he even knows that I know about his girl. I don't know how I want to handle the situation and I'm not sure what I want to say to him. So I guess for now, we will continue this no-talking thing.

But tomorrow is a new day and it will be better than the last few.

Stressed.

Stressed.

My week according to #twitter

I have been so extremely busy this week that I didn't even have time to blog. So here is what I have been up to over the past few days.

I have a brand new #iphone4s now. My mom thinks I should sell it and get the #iphone5. I'm honestly thinking about it #apple
— Samantha Gregson (@MissSamanthaG) September 30, 2012

I'm transcribing an interview and realizing that people speak with really bad grammar #team3 #research
— Samantha Gregson (@MissSamanthaG) October 1, 2012

#thatawkwardmomentwhen you walk into a room at the church looking for FHE and there is a random man standing in the middle of the dark room
— Samantha Gregson (@MissSamanthaG) October 2, 2012

Pretty much the best font title ever! I had a good laugh over this! instagr.am/p/QRLl9OFflv/
— Samantha Gregson (@MissSamanthaG) October 2, 2012

Apparently today is #NationalBoyfriendDay Well... This is awkward #singlegirlproblems
— Samantha Gregson (@MissSamanthaG) October 3, 2012

Banning books is like putting toothpaste back in the tube. Stupid #bbw
— Samantha Gregson (@MissSamanthaG) October 4, 2012

Dear Bluezone. Please stop disconnecting my laptop from the Internet. I'm trying to do homework #aggielife
— Samantha Gregson (@MissSamanthaG) October 4, 2012

I've got my crystal light energy, twitter and pinterest ready. Class can now start.
— Samantha Gregson (@MissSamanthaG) October 5, 2012

Good luck to the #aggiefootball team tonight! Wish I could be there! Cheering you on from Logan! #aggienation #USUvsBYU #bywho
— Samantha Gregson (@MissSamanthaG) October 6, 2012

Dear Boys

Dear Hot and Cold

It's been while since we've talked.

But I still think about you.

Your friend,

Sammy

Dear Water,

I like our late night talks.

They are pretty much the best.

Sleepily,

Sammy

Dear Locker,

I miss our candid chats.

I miss you telling me what I needed to hear.

Which wasn't always what what I wanted to hear.

Lovingly,

Sammy

Dear B,

You can always make me laugh.

Thank you,

Samantha

Dear Book,

It's just not going to happen.

So please stop pushing it.

Let's just be friends.

Samantha

Oh hey, Monday!

I hope you all had a great weekend! I spent mine avoiding homework and baking pumpkin cookies {yum!} I did have a small study group last night but we ended up giving each other dating advice (see my twitter feed for details on that night @MissSamanthaG). Yesterday was also the Brigham City Temple dedication which was just so great! I was amazed at how much the chapel had the temple spirit and I enjoyed listening to the words spoken. The temple truly is the Lord's house.

After my chill weekend, I am buckling down for an intense and extremely stressful week. I have a class midterm on Friday (at 7 am I might add! Who does that?!) that I feel 100% not ready for. It's for my sales class and quite frankly, I am not a salesperson. My personality just doesn't fit with the whole "Buy my product because you need it" situation. If the midterm was an exam I wouldn't be as worried but I actually have to sell a product to my professor. Ahh! And I'm not going to even mention the other projects that are due.

On top of all that, I am working close to 30 hours this week. Seriously people, I have no idea when I am going to sleep. I was just looking over my calendar and most of my appointments for the week are overlapping with each other and work and class. I am going to have to go in to work at midnight just to get all my hours in for the week.

But today I am feeling especially productive and am determined to get a list of things done before the chalk dance tonight (its homecoming week! Go Aggies!). 

On the plus side, I only need one more signature for my graduation packet. This is actually happening. I am going to be a college graduate in seven-ish months! Can you even believe it?

My point is, I can't wait until this week is over. I am determined to make it! Everyone just may need to deal with my grumpy self until this week is over and I can catch up on sleep and life... Sorry everyone! I still love you all :)

I Believe.

I believe in second chances.

I believe in sunsets and starry nights.

I believe in love.

I believe in laughter.

I believe in kisses and hugs.

I believe in truth.

I believe in fairy tales.

I believe in day dreams, wishes and shooting stars.

I believe in the future.

I believe in miracles.

I believe in forever.

I believe in Christ.

That Girl

Who am I?

I think that is a question a lot of people find themselves asking. For me, I have recently realized that I have evolved into a new person over the past few years. I am not the same person I was in high school and I use my name to differentiate between the person I used to be and the person I am now.

In my mind, Sammy and Samantha are two separate and very different people.
In high school, I was Sammy to everyone. I don't know what made me do it, but when I started college, I started introducing myself as Samantha. It was an unconscious change but I can trace my transformation back to that first introduction in my freshmen dorm. Since then, I have become Samantha and, starting recently, Sam.

I have had some amazing experiences and have met some incredible people who have made me who I am today.

Sammy
She was a shy, nerdy girl who didn't know how to act around guys. She was almost annoying naive and didn't realize all that that world had to offer. She was unsure of things and was worried about what other people thought of her. Life was a puzzle she hadn't figured out yet.

Samantha
She is a strong, independent woman. She has learned so much over the past few years and has become a better person because of it all and she wouldn't change those experiences for anything. Now she is the happiest she has ever been and looks to the future with excitement at the thought of all she can do. Life hasn't happened how she expected it to; it has turned out even better.

Back in Logan!

Busy, busy, busy!

I'm back in Logan now and it's great to be back! I've started to settle back in to school life and I'm loving it in a totally nerdy way. My social life is starting to recover and it's great seeing familiar faces again around campus. This is my last year at USU and I'm determined to make it great! I am taking 15 credits in addition to being a teaching assistant for a news writing class. It's definitely more than enough to keep my busy. But I kind of like it. I have come to the realization that this is what I am supposed to be doing right now. I get asked a lot if I am dating anyone and right now, the answer is no. And I'm okay with that. I think that will come with time. So for now, I am just busy with school and work. Oh speaking of work, I got a new job!! I was able to keep the job I had over the summer at Intermountain Homecare and just transferred to Logan when I moved back here. It's not super exciting but I am starting to look for a job for when I graduate. Which is an intimidating thought. I don't feel like I'm ready to tackle the world but I'm excited for the next chapter of my life to start.

I'm Stuck

For the last few days I have been racking my brain for an idea for a blog post. But I haven't been able to think of anything even relatively interesting. I made myself sit down tonight with my laptop and a comfy blanket and I was determined to write something but that didn't even help. I sat here for 20 minutes before I wrote a single word. I have come to the conclusion that I have writer's block. When I think I might have a potential topic, it doesn't interesting enough to post and I keep thinking no one would want to read about that. It's usually not this hard for me to write but I have been struggling lately which is the real reason for my lack of posts this summer. I just can't think of anything to write about.

I really admire all my dedicated blog friends who post several times a week. I read their blogs and am constantly impressed by what they have to say. Their posts are always worthwhile to read and I can honestly say I never get bored from reading their blogs. Maybe they will share some blog love and tell me their secret.

So I apologize for my lack posts over the last several weeks. I'm really trying so please bear with me while I try to find my groove again.

But since I promised myself that I had to write something before I can leave this couch, I decided to go with the truth: I have nothing to say to the world right now.

xoxo
Sam

Insta Two Months

Go ahead. I deserve every one of your complaints on my complete absentness. But never fear, I have not abandoned by blog. I just have been pretty busy. That's probably the excuse everyone gives, but this time, it's totally legit. I have two whole months to catch you up on and to help me do it, I am going to pull some of my pictures from instagram (which I may or not be totally obsessed with).

Disclaimer: The following is not in chronological order.

So I am back in Layton for the summer and I have had to relearn a lot. Like if you want a piece of this pie, you should totally eat it now because more often than not, it won't be there later. 

I went to Tiffany's for the first time and was finally able to cross that off my bucket list. The jewelry there is gorgeous and absolutely stunning. The whole store was so sparkly as the light was reflected off the many, many diamonds.

I went to Florida with my sister, cousin and grandparents. This was the beautiful view from our condo.

I spent a lot of time doing this.

And this.

I think a little bit of my inner child died when I got a job. Like a real, full-time job. Like a dress up and go sit at a desk all day kind of a job. I now spend most of my time at the Intermountain Homecare office in Salt Lake. It's candy like this that helps keep me awake.

My family went boating and I even got in the water. Which has fish. Lots of fish. And I hate fish.

And then I learned how to drive a boat.

My parents and brothers were gone for a whole week so me and my sister got a lot of girl time. This was taken at our slumber party/movie night where we caught up on Pretty Little Liars.

We finally finished our basement and now it has all of these cool toys. It's fun :)

This awesome girl came to visit me and we went swimming. Love her!

I feel so old now. My brother graduated high school. I can't believe that he will be going to college in just a few months!

It was also Father's Day not too long ago. I love my daddy so much!

I even got crafty and made this adorable necklace.

I promise I will write more and maybe even share a few more instagram pictures. There is so much more that I have planned for this summer. Like my birthday, a road-trip to California, the 4th of July, and one of my best friends gets home from his mission! I have really missed my blog and I will continue sharing the best parts of my life with you.

xoxo, Sam

Another Year

My summer has officially started! I finished my finals and regardless of how I feel about them, it is in the past. For the most part, I think I got pretty good grades this semester.

Friday was my last day working at the library for four whole months! You have no idea how great that sounds to me. And yesterday was moving day. After two years on my own, I am kind of nervous to be back at my parent's house for the summer. It could be really good. Or really bad. But I am going to miss my roommates, especially Ashley. I honestly don't know what I'm going to do without that girl. I am so glad that I will be close enough to Logan that I can come visit her.

And so this post is for you, Ashley, Trish and Natalie. I love you all. You are the greatest! We had some good times, made lots of memories and had many, many laughs.

xoxo

-Sam

Dear Boys

Dear Mister,

.................................

................................

.................................

Awkwardly,

Samantha

Dear Mister,

That's how I feel when I'm around you.

I never know what to say.

I really need to work on that...

Apologetically,

Samantha

Dear Water,

I have officially started a countdown.

August cannot come fast enough.

And then what will happen?

I miss you!

Sammy

Dear Nameless,

I still can't bring myself to talk to you.

So I'll just watch you from a distance.

Please don't think I'm a creeper

I'm sorry I'm not sorry.

Affectionately,

Samantha

Dear Hot and Cold,

I think you might have forgotten about me.

But I haven't forgotten about you.

Your friend,

Sammy

Failure

Maybe everyone goes through times where they feel like they have failed miserably. Or maybe it's just me. Either way, as much as I hate to admit it, I have failed.

A few weeks ago, I was on top of the world. Everything seemed to be going just right and the pieces of my life appeared to be finally falling together to create a neat little picture of the life I always wanted. But last week, all that came crashing down and exploded in my face. I felt extremely helpless as I watched my life fall apart and there was nothing I could do. I feel like life gave me just a small glimpse of the things I wanted and have worked hard to achieve and then rudely takes it all away. I'm sure Fate is laughing at me from afar.

I feel like a failure and a disappointment. I was so sure that I was going to get a really cool internship this summer and get lots of really neat experience while meeting awesome people. And then I would come back to school and not have to worry about money and just enjoy my senior year. By all indications, I was so sure things were going to work out just that way I wanted. But then day after day I got my answers. No. No. Nope. No. I was denied everything I had hoped for and counted on. Now I am back at the beginning and have to figure things out all over again. It's almost overwhelming to think about. I had counted on that scholarship, I had prayed for that internship, I had hoped for that job. And those were just some of the big things. Even the small things were going wrong.

I was so devastated that it effected me physically. I couldn't sleep and I just felt horrible all the time. I didn't want to do anything and all my motivation for school was suddenly gone. I honestly felt like crying all the time.

I think it's a human shortcoming to compare ourselves to others. I know I do it. And while everyone around me is achieving their dreams and doing great things with their lives, I feel like I'm stuck. Stuck and not moving forward. In fact, sometimes I feel like I'm actually moving backwards. It seems like all the forces are fighting against me and everything I do takes a substantial amount of effort while everyone else achieves things effortlessly.

For three short weeks, I felt like I was on Cloud 9. Looking back, I feels like it was all a dream and that I blindly, and even naively, believed that something that awesome would actually happen to me. I should have known better and then maybe, just maybe, I would have saved myself from this disappointment.

xoxo
-Sam

Bangs

Oops! Just realized the title read "Bongs". Let's change that. No bueno.

Now on to a post all about my bangs!

 

I think a need a  hair intervention! My bangs are at that awkward stage where they are too long to be worn as bangs but to short to blend in with the rest of my hair. See Exibit A:

But they are almost to the point where I can tuck them behind my ear. Exhibit B:

So this is where you all come in. Do I leave my bangs and just let them grow out? Or should I cut them? And how should I cut them?

I could leave them as the classic 'side-swept' bangs or go back to the straight bangs look. Exhibit C:

I am very indecisive about this situation and complain about my bangs nearly everyday to my roommate. And it's getting ridiculous. I just need to make up my mind and do something. I have thought about letting them grow out, but I haven't not had bangs for a really long time. So long that I can't even remember. 

So if you have any ideas for me, please leave them below! Thank you all.

xoxo

Sam

Confessions

I like to drink juice straight from the bottle.

I'm in love with glitter and sparkly things.

I have a love-hate relationship with socks. They keep my feet warm but they are so uncomfortable and annoying to wear.

I will still stay up late to read a book. Even if I've already read it a hundred times.

If I don't know you, I am extremely shy. If I do know you, I am obnoxiously loud.

I de-stress by playing the piano.

I tend to be a perfectionist.

If I ever had to run for my life, I would probably die.

I am a very picky eater.

Heights and doctors terrify me.

I love TV crime shows.

Sometimes I become emotionally attached to fictional book characters.

Daydreaming is a hobby of mine.

Daydreaming about my future is even better.

I don't really read magazines. I just like to look at the pictures.

I love bubble wrap.

Sometimes, I do sing in the shower.

I am not a morning person.

I sometimes think that I was born in the wrong time period and that I actually belong in an era with big, fancy dresses.

~

I am constantly afraid that I am not good enough.

The time the doctor thought I was mentally handicapped

It's story time peeps!

I was on the verge of adulthood at 17 years and 11 months. And after just graduating high school a few weeks before, I was excited to leave for New York City the next morning. It was going to be great! Just a full week hanging out with my mom in the city.

A few days before, I was cleaning my room and put a glass bottle on my floor (not sure why there was a bottle in my room, but there was. I'm sure there was a good reason at the time) and I guess I never put it back on the shelf. Well the night before we were supposed to leave, I was in my room packing and I was looking for my temple recommend. I couldn't find it anywhere! And that's when I stepped on the glass bottle! (I bet you saw that one coming.) It hurt and started bleeding really bad. So I rushed into my bathroom and tried to get it to stop bleeding. I called upstairs for my mom and asked her to come downstairs. Being the nurse she is, she wanted to see my foot. So she looked and decided I would need stitches. That piece of news just sent me over the edge. I started freaking out! Needles and I do not have a very good relationship and I am absolutely terrified of them!

Five minutes later, my foot was wrapped in a towel and I was in the car with my parents headed to the emergency room. I don't remember much about the ride over or what happened in the ER. But I do remember not wanting anyone to look at my foot. I was taken into a room to wait for the doctor. He finally came in and I kind of feel bad for him. I one hundred per cent acknowledge the fact that I am a difficult patient and I'm sure I didn't make his job any easier. When he asked if he could take the towel off my foot so he could look at the cut, I cried even harder. I was so scared! I kept saying "No. No. No. Take me home. No. No. Take me home. No. No. No. Take me home. No." I'm sure I sounded like a broken record and that was all I said the whole time at the ER. The doctor confirmed I would need stitches and asked to talk to my mom out in in the hall and I later learned that the following conversation took place.

Doc: So is there anything we should be aware of before we start?

Mom: No, I don't think so.

Doc: Are you sure?

Mom: Yes. Let's just get through this. I know she is not going to like this.

Doc: I just need to ask, does she have any learning disabilities?

Mom: *caught off guard* Umm... No. Why?

Doc: Well, I just wanted to check because we approach those patients differently.

Mom: She is definitely not mentally challenged. She is a straight-A student. She is just really scared.

They came back in and the doctor put 10 stitches in my foot!

When we got home, all I could think about was how my perfect vacation was ruined! How was I supposed to walk all over NYC now? I had stitches in my foot! I finally calmed down enough to sleep and we still left the next morning.

My nurse-mom was worried about my foot getting infected from walking through the dirty streets of New York. (I also learned later that the doctor was worried about infection as well so my mom was prepared with a prescription for something we could get filled in New York if we needed it.) I spent the week with my foot wrapped like this:

*Side note: See those cute sandals at the top of the picture? Those were the sandals I bought right before this trip, but because of the wrap on my foot, they didn't fit.

We tried to make the best of the situation and found benches specifically for me.

Nearly two years later, I am left with an ugly scar.

The Season of Sun

This summer I am planning on living with my parents and hopefully getting some kind of internship or job in Salt Lake. I decided to live at home for two reasons. 1. To save money. College is expensive and it's even more expensive when your scholarship runs out. 2. Layton is a lot closer to Salt Lake than Logan. And Salt Lake is where all of the opportunities are at, it seems. So I have been trying to figure out how I will be able to adjust to family life after two years on my own. Cue the sibling squabbles, being told that it's late and to go to bed by my parents and loud brothers.

But! That was the plan before I learned about a simply incredible opportunity in an amazing city. Details are still being figured out so I'll save all of that for another post. But here's a hint.

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Me freaking out!