This is all SO crazy.

Phew...what an emotional overload! It's okay.

I tried this new hair strategy last night before I went to bed. You towel dry your hair and split it down the middle into two sections. Then you put some mousse in and braid the said sections. You let it dry over night and when you get up the next morning you're supposed to be able to comb through it and have beachy waves. Right?

Wrong.

Yeah it was bad. My bed head was almost to the point where I had to get in the shower and just redo everything. Instead I just sprayed it down pretty good and curled it with my wand. {too embarrassed to take pictures}

Earlier this week I tried out a face mask I found on Pinterest. It called for lemon juice and a couple of egg whites. Was it successful? You tell me.

I checked my morning paper around eight this morning (facebook, instagram, twitter, you name it) and saw that I had a message on facebook from Mel. A pleasant surprise.

Last Wednesday we all Skyped together for what I thought was a final goodbye. Turns out it wasn't. I asked about the possibility of a blog and I learned that they were each doing one. I didn't think I would be the admin of them though! :) Another surprise. She told me her final goodbye in the message and I did the same. 

Well I was on my way to my singles ward this morning. Then road construction happened. There was like a mile long line of cars waiting to get across the bridge. Eh screw it. I went around the long way on center street and there was STILL construction going on! You know it's bad when there's a guy out there directing traffic. By this time I was already like twenty minutes late for sacrament. So I turned around and went home since I knew I'd already missed it. But on the contrary, I went to my home ward and hung out with my gram gram. 

A few hours later I find myself laying on our living room couch inhaling the pleasant smell of fresh cleaned carpet. I'm all sprawled out when I see that I get a facebook notify seeing that Harmony updated her status. Then a few seconds later, Mel did the same. 

Yup, this is legit. I was curious when they were going to post their last statuses. The time leading up to it, I had been watching the clock for 2:30, as that was the time they were going to be set apart. AH the emotional trauma. I won't lie and say I didn't cry when I saw these.  It's all so crazy. I know they'll be amazing out on the field. The people of Argentina and Chile sure are lucky to have such individuals! They are now set apart. I kid you not, I messaged Harmony through texting up until the final minutes and said yet another goodbye. It's bittersweet. But hey, if the last year I spent with them went this fast, well, this will be no different! 

Tah tah for now! I will keep anyone who's interested updated with all of their adventures. :) It's certainly been a joy. 

Photoextravaganza!

I don't think I've ever blogged as much as I have in one month. This will be what, like my seventh post? I guess I've quite an eventful July!

Yesterday was going to be a seemingly normal day. That swiftly changed. I did get up around ten, having gone to bed around two am. I think I need to be getting into the habit of getting my minimum eight hour nights sleep so I can be all pumped and ready for school. Sleep is a luxury in college.

So I get up and I go lay out on a blanket in my backyard with my book of Mormon and my copy of Preach my Gospel. I prayed right before I read the two and honestly, it was a neat thing. I've decided just to start from the beginning of the book of Mormon and reread again even though I've read through it a few times. I followed up with the chapter in Preach my Gospel that discusses the book of Mormon. The spiritual feeling I attained was strong. It helped my desire to serve a mission stronger. I realize I have a lot to learn and to also prepare myself in all ways possible.

My new visiting teachers came over shortly after. I found out that the one was in my culinary class the spring semester before this last one. We had such a big class that it was hard to get to know everyone. I was surprised to hear that it was their first time visit teaching. They both did wonderfully. We basically just asked a few questions to know a little bit about the other. They left me a Rocky Road candy bar and a sheet of paper with Proverbs 3:5-6. Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thy own understanding. A cute and creative idea! I'm not too creative in that sense-I'd rather do the teaching.

I also didn't think I'd get to spend some time with Harms and the family yesterday, either. I was on my way to deposit some cash in the back when my phone started shaking in my cup holder. What a pleasant surprise! They were at the dentist's office getting some work done. Harmony was waiting a long time and we hung out for a little bit. We stopped by A Mane Attraction so she could stock up on Bareminerals "for life!" I got me some new mascara and lip gloss. A little bit later we met the family at Lupita's for lunch before separating again.


My brother and I went to the orthodontist's office b/c he apparently won a drawing. Only when we got there did I notice the three boxes. "Have you ever heard of the show, Let's make a Deal"? The receptionist greeted. "Yeah, I said. I faced Kaden. So basically you can choose a present, or an x amount of money." He just stood there for a second. His face, was like uhhhmmm. Uhhh. They were all wrapped in girly wrapping paper.

Good timing, eh?

So like twenty minutes later, he chose the $31. We don't even find out what was wrapped in the presents til like the end of this month. I just figured he could buy whatever with $31. Kinda fun.


I hung out with Kenzie again as well! I was a little surprised to see so many people at the canyon park. So we went to the east side and isolated ourselves a bit. At first I didn't really know what we were going to do, but we did have a table and my camera. Soooooo....

 

Yeeah we're freaks. But hey it was lots of fun :). I didn't realize how much I knew about a camera til I started teaching her yesterday.  I went all out and described all the functions of like every button on the body. I even threw in how lenses impact the picture. Then I let her take pictures of me. I could see she was having a good time so we kept going. 

Then I took a few of her! Pretty sure it was her first time
 using a DSLR. Yeah, I remember when I used one for the first time too. Harm's 5000 back when :) I got in lots of practice yesterday. Being both the photographer and the subject I have to say that I love portrait photography! My actions from Paint the Moon are just for that. I'd say I fixed us up real nice. :)

Good times there yesterday! I'm anxiously waiting for Sunday to roll around so I can hear my missionaries talk. :)

The Final Day

I rolled over in bed multiple times, not wanting to get up. I reach for my ipad under the pillow.  I had at least another hour before my alarm was going off. (why I had my alarms set on vaca, I will never know). I was starving, though. I quietly closed the door behind me and tip-toed out to the kitchen. During my stay, I was "borrowing" Sam's room. He and their dad were gone to scout camp the entire week, so it worked out.

I wondered what to do while I sat at the bar and munched on my bowl of mini wheats. I really couldn't come up with anything since we already did everything else there was to do in town. The time was about eight. I knew I'd be alone for at least another hour before their mom got up. That left Princess, their kitty. I learned that first day that she is like any other cat when it comes to petting. She sliced her knives across my hand pretty good. I just laid back on the recliner til the need to get ready came over me.

I admit I was a little sad knowing it was my last day over there on vaca. I hardly missed Cedar, if at all. I didn't want to go back to work the following night. I didn't want to make the hour drive back by my lonesome. I realized it could very well be the last time I would be hanging out with them in Panaca b/c they plan on going to school up north after they come home.

I got dressed and relaxed for another good two hours. I just couldn't go back to sleep even though I had about six hours worth. I learned that both Mels and Harm had plans for the evening, so I would be leaving a little sooner that I thought. I tried to spent an equal amount of time with each of them that day. Melody left around 4:30. I bid farewell and told her I'd see her next week through a tight hug. Harm and I hung out til she had to meet up with her bud at 6:00. I remembered that my mom wanted some pictures of everything. I knew what I wanted to do before I left.

So we took another trip to the spring. I wanted to take my own pictures of it in the day time. It really is a beautiful place when you look around. The moss is pretty gnarly though. Again, I was a little sad knowing that it could be the last time I would be there. At first I just wanted to dip my feet in, but I got a little into it...

Told ya so! I got progressively deeper in the water. My thoughts being, "Well I better make it memorable!"

 I got it up to my waist! And honestly, I didn't expect it to be such a fun experience. I was reminded a little bit of Kanarra falls being soakin wet in my clothes.

"Do you want to do it", I asked as Harmony took the picture. She was a good sport. I was a little surprised that she did it with me. I'm glad she did b/c now we have that day frozen in time forever.


I was looking at these pictures and I thought, "man I could be baptizing people!" I realize that is for the elders to do but it'd still be pretty cool. 

Come time to go, I didn't choke up as bad as I thought I was going to. I shout, "thank you!" to their mom on our way out the door. My voice didn't crack too bad before leaving. I dropped Harm off at the market before I left. I like Melody gave her a firm hug. I couldn't really say much. Goodbyes are never really easy for me with friends. I've never had that problem with family. I was proud of myself for not letting my feelings shed. The worst part of all of it was driving back. I didn't feel lonely, though. My music kept me goin and I called my mom on the way for someone to talk to.

I am looking forward to this Sunday. Then I'm not. I don't know. I want to go back to Panaca to hear them speak. Then it really will be goodbye. As hard as it is for me, I know everything will be okay. I'll for sure miss all of our little adventures over the past year. It will be eleven months we've spent together by the time they leave. They don't actually depart til the 30th and 31st. So maybe we can Skype. I love you two more than I probably should. I'm proud of ya. Thanks for having me over for that week!

Day 4!

Let's see...the fourth day (Thursday) was spent on the back of the four-wheeler with Harms as the chauffeur. The skies were gray and it sprinkled all throughout the day. When we take rides we mostly go to the market on main, but that day we went a little out of range. So basically we took a few back roads and I have now seen the rest of the small town.

Their aunt Emily was in town for the funeral service that day. So I got to meet her and her cute kiddles. The three hung out with us for like a couple hours. During that time we watched "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids" and hung around the park by the baseball fields.


 Didn't really spent a whole lot of time outside. Harm and I documented ourselves via photographs on the four-wheeler. I set my new ipad mini up against the front porch on a timer to do so. It was like the third time I went back to check it when I saw it. I gasped when I saw that great big lizard. It was like what I used to catch as a kid, but super sized. Our inner child came out as we both tried to get a hold of it. Unsuccessful.

I'm pretty sure we spent that night swimming at the spring. That time we were by ourselves and it was pretty nice. We giggled our little hearts out and talked about girly stuff.

And on the 3rd Day...

I got a new view of my surroundings yesterday. Went out and took a stroll about a tenth of a mile away from the house, over to the dyke. It was also about a hundred degrees and I wore my black No Doubt t shirt, not a care in the world. :) Sometimes I like to go out and just think. I could've stayed out there forever but then I got hungry.

 

We took a random trip to my hometown to go shop for more mission stuff. Pretty sure I'm pro about what to get for a mission just from helping out these two. Clothes shopping is definitely a challenge and everything else is just obnoxious. Went to Deseret Book and helped them grab some more G's. (aka garmets) After all that I know a whole lot I didn't know before. So basically I'm going to be all good to go by the time by time rolls around. 

I went out a very large limb yesterday. 'Cause on the drive back...I wasn't the driver. 

Laughing our little hearts out

I let Harms drive us back to Panaca from Cedar on the highway. This actually hasn't been the first time I let her drive. She's really gotten good at it since I've taught her a few things. I'm probably insane but I trusted her enough. And she did really good! Didn't get pulled over and everything was dandy. 

Nice little sunset on the way back

After getting home, we took another stroll to the spring and swam under the stars. Harm drove us again and again. It's nice for me cause I don't have to! :) And she likes to, so... After we went for a nice little run on main. I could do things I never could back home. Like lay down in the middle of main street. Then we just went crazy like usual. :)

The Notebook Moment-bwahaha

We eventually ran out of ideas and ran back home in the dark. A wee bit terrifying for me since I wasn't completely familiar. And then I couldn't really see ten feet in front of me. Another day well spent!

Day 2-going out on some limbs

Compared to the first day, the second day was quieter. A lot it was spent inside not really doin much. All in all, it was still a fun day.

Most people would think I was crazy b/c here the average is around a hundred degrees everyday. I actually don't mind it one bit. In fact I really like the heat. Yes I could live in St. G. Like yesterday I was hanging out on the back patio on my computer for at least an hour writing my lesson plan for sunday (I've been called as a relief society instructor). Harmony comes outside about that time. "Are you dying of heat", she asks. And I'm like, "no actually. I really don't mind it." :)

So we're all sitting together at their table in the living room with our laptops and ipods listening to music while their mom is hanging out just a few feet away on their recliners. It was pretty funny when we were blasting "Before He Cheats" b/c of its lyrics. We mostly played Queen after that.

We drove a quick fifteen minutes to Caliente for dinner. J.J's at that. It's a small fast food restaurant that's next to a Sinclair. I have to wonder why things seem to be so much better when you're not eating the same thing at home. I got a burger and a fry just like I would back at my place and for some reason it was so much tastier! We were out there for like two hours talking with one of their friends, Neil before we came back. I went out on a limb and let Harms drive us back. Not everyone was too pleased about that, but she really wanted to drive and honestly, I didn't feel like making the drive back. She did wonderfully. :)

To unwind for the night, we watched "Across the Universe." It's a British/American drama musical which revolves around famous "Beatles" songs. The characters were also named accordingly. The main character's name was Jude, his girlfriend's name being Lucy. It killed me not to sing along to the songs. I will say it was kind of strange but an overall good movie. I enjoyed it :)

Some things I have come to appreciate about small towns-

1. No tax is wonderful. I realize that's only here in Nevada.
2. Everyone knows everyone. Which may or may not be good when it comes to rumors.
3. You can get away with a lot of things.
4. It's always quiet
5. The so-called small town Cedar City is a metropolis that is often overlooked of what it has. I'll never complain about walmart again!

My Little Summer Getaway- Day One

 This will very likely be the only real vaca I will get this summer and I'm okay with that. :) I'm staying with my buds til Friday in their current home metropolis known as Panaca Nevada. I chuckle at the word metropolis. There's no cops or traffic lights-it's one of those towns that you'll miss if you blink.

The highlights of the first day were conquering Cathedral Gorge and the Spring-at niiiight. That was a wonderful experience. Minus that you couldn't really see where the bottom of it was. Then there was the creepy bullfrogs that croaked. There were a few places where the moss was a little too much for me to handle. The way it squished underneath my feet was a bit freaky. The horizon and the night sky were somethin else. It really got peaceful once the other weirdos that were there before us left.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thee best snowcone I think I've ever had ever-

Intentional photobombing

Hello, July

Summer needs to slow the frick down. It's already been two months since I finished my sophomore year of college. TWO! Seems like the best things are taken from us much too soon. *raises arm to the ceiling in agreement*

I said goodbye to another one of my friends this last Monday. Chumpy is now at the Provo MTC serving the Lord and saving the souls of men. And I couldn't be more proud. We took an adventure to Kanarra Falls for our last little hangout.

You walk through the stream 98% of the time :)

We found a corral snake!!!

Us right before we left!

 Kanarra Falls, I've decided, is something that's totally a good idea for a date. It's free, you exercise, and you get wet. What more could you want?? On a random note, I will one day find the person responsible for inventing the DSLR and give them a giant hug. They're wonderful. In case you're unaware, a dslr are the big fancy cameras. My 90 is a dslr. Oh, and Photoshop. With actions. Those make all the difference in the world!

I was a little down to see Chumpy go. She was my kiddie corner neighbor for like ten years. We went to school together, church, work and lived by the other. All of us at work already miss her. She is one of those friends you can talk to about anything. I'm proud of her choices and I know she'll be back before we even know it.

 * * * * *

The Present-

Well I've been doing pretty well in living my life, I think. It sure is nice having a break from school, but lately I've been needing a break from work. Like, a week's vacation. Lately it's been so busy every night that we've been having to send people outside to drive to take orders on pen and paper. We've been closing twenty minutes on average after we were supposed to close. < < < < < I'm super excited to get that week's vacation come this Monday. I realize it's the last time I'll be hanging with my twinners in Panaca before they also leave for the MTC.

I upgraded my iPad 2 to an iPad mini. A decrease in size, but in increase in a lot of things. One being faster wireless. Then the camera is much, much better. I'm excited for the 5 megs. As for the one that I have now, I'm selling it to Gamestop for a couple hundred bucks. Then today my custom case I ordered for it from Etsy is getting made. (I'll post pictures later). But here's what I'm getting :)

It is slightly modified though, hence why it's a custom order. It's originally made for the regular ipad but I got in contact with the shop owner and got this custom ordered! Sometimes it pays to ask!

On another note, Happy Independence Day everyone! Today it's been a pretty normal day. Got up and ready at noon, played a little wii, exercised, and then I'm going to work in just under two hours. We really aren't festive like we used to be, but that's okay.

See ya later! -Tay