Headed Home

I'm sitting in the Seattle Airport right now.  I have lots going through my mind right now and very little at the same time.  Not sure if that makes sense but that about describes how I feel right now! I really already miss my roommates and friends and feel like I'll be coming back again in 3 weeks to them like I did over Christmas.  But, it's different this time.  I know that I'm not coming back to hardly any of them.  I said my goodbyes last night and this morning and it still just feels so bizarre.  I think it's still sinking in, but I don't think I like the feeling very much.
Freshman year was everything I was expecting and everything I wasn't, all at the same time.  I made some incredible friends, some of the best I've ever had.  And they've all touched my life in ways I can't even begin to explain or help others explain.  All I know is that I don't have regrets about this year.  And I'm so glad that the people I met were put in my life.
On my way to the airport my grandma and I were talking about my first year of school.  She told me that I've grown up and matured a lot sine I came to college.  I guess I hadn't thought about it much until she said that. I feel like the same me I've been all along, but at the same time I can see exactly what she means.  I've changed some this year.  Or perhaps a better word is I've grown and expanded my view and ideals on life.  And I absolutely love it.
This school year I learned how to snowboard, learned to try new foods, learned to get along with people you don't know, made awesome friends that were girls, started to blog and journal, indexed names for the first time ever, lived on my own, paid for my expenses, got a job for next fall on my own!, dyed my hair dark brown, and became closer with my family.  Those are just a few things that I can think of off the top of my head in the small amount of time I paused to reflect.  Boy do I have a lot to be grateful for!
As far as my fall/winter job down at school.... I emailed my interior design professor asking her if she was looking for a TA.  Unfortunately she will not be returning to BYU this year, but she referred me to another teacher who will be teaching the same class.  I got the text as soon as I landed in Seattle that she would like me to be her TA! Yay! Now to just work out the details and not stress about finding a job during the summer or when I come back because I'll already have one.  That is a huge sigh of relief, let me tell you!
Well, there's less than an hour till I'm supposed to board now and I think I might start reading the book that Mom gave me to read on my way home.  I spent the whole last flight rearranging and organizing my Itunes (it was in a lot of need for some help haha) and then I got some food in the airport for lunch.
Ketchikan in just over 3 hours! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Last Few Days

As time winds down and I get closer and closer to going home I'm getting more and more moody.  I'm not particularly stressed about any of my finals.  I have quite a bit of studying to do but it shouldn't be too bad.  I'm not too worried about packing since I'm mostly done now.  But I'm getting really moody, especially towards the people I care most about. So, I apologize.
There's not a reason, not an excuse and it's not nice or fair of me to do at all. Hopefully it'll get better, I'm trying so please don't hate me.
On that note...I finished classes today.  The next 2 days are study days and then I'll take finals on Friday, Saturday, and Monday and then leave on Tuesday.  Time can't go by fast enough, but at the same time it's really sad that I'm leaving so soon.
A unique thing about living with freshman only at BYU is that almost all of them are going on missions this next year.  So, when I come back almost all of my friends will be gone.  Thankfully I'm living with 2 of my very best friends again in fall and winter, along with a girl in our current ward that's awesome :) I think if I didn't get to see Jasmine and Beth again and live with them again that I'd be having a nervous breakdown.(Yes even more so than I apparently seem to be having...) So I just have a few things to say about some of the people I've gotten closest to this year.

Jasmine: You always know what to say, even when I don't wanna hear it.  You always tell me what's on your mind and I know I can always tell you anything and everything.  We have so much in common and I know I can always count on you.

Beth: You know me a lot better than most people do.  You put up with all of my crap and I really appreciate it :) I love that we can talk about anything and not be judged for it.  I love our random urges to go do things and that you're always up for an adventure!

Megan: I'm really glad that you were my roommate this year, even if I'm not always the best at expressing it. You're always an example to me and you make me want to be better.  I know you're gonna be a great missionary and England will love you!

Sarah: You are always always always happy and loving and kind and full of service.  I don't know how you do it but I'm really glad you were in our room this year.  You've taught me quite a few things and I love how you're always willing to joke around.  Good look on the mish :) You'll be awesome in Cali!

Kristen: You are a huge example to me of loving others.  I don't know how you can be so patient and so full of love, but I absolutely love that you are.  Even though you aren't living with us next year, I hope that we'll still see lots of you and hang out!

Cam: You are always there to listen to me and just talk when I need to, even if it's at midnight and I wanna go shoot basketball hoops.  I've never seen you be mean or rude or impatient with anyone before, in fact I don't even think it's possible! I'm really going to miss you next year. Good luck in Guam on your mission!!!

Josh: You sir are incredible.  You know how to brighten up even the crappiest of days.  You eat food with me and listen to my stupidty and you're still my friend.  I'll never forget that you're always willing to talk, even if it's 3 in the morning.  Canada is lucky to have you going on a mission there :)

Grant: Where do I even start? You've been one of my good friends since day 1 of college when we sat out in the hall till curfew listening to music and looking up videos.  You give amazing hugs and always make me feel special and loved.  I'm really gonna miss you, good luck in DC on your mission!

Mary: I love that you're not just our RA, you're our friend too.  I'm glad we can always talk to each other and vent and still have fun :) I'm gonna miss you just swiping yourself into the room and hanging out with us.  You made Freshman year so much better! I hope you love your mission in Alabama :)

Prince Eric: I love that you're okay with us calling you Prince Eric.  You are so nice and so smart and I love that you are always willing to help me with American Heritage, and I'm sure you would with any other subject too.  You've been a great example to me and I'm glad we're friends. Good luck in Spain on the mish!

Tanner Y: I think it's pretty awesome that our parents were friends and we didn't even know that till after we became friends.  I love that you're always in a good mood and that you always say hi to me when you see me on campus.  Hope you love your mission and Cambodia!

I wish I could go on about everyone I've met here but I just don't have time unfortunately! Thanks to everyone who made Freshman year so great :) I love you all! And I hope I'll see you all again some day :)

Summer Time Means Time To Go Home!

My first year of college has almost come to an end.  And you know what that means, I'M COMING HOME! In 12 days to be exact :) And I cannot wait! I finished the rest of my homework for the semester tonight, minus a writeup for the Ballroom Showcase I'm going to on Saturday.  Plus, I've been working on interior design flashcards for my final already and I'm almost done with those! Then I'll just need to make flashcards for Human Development and American Heritage.  Oh and that's right, study all of them after I spend hours making them! Study for BOM 122 and for ASL 102. Tomorrow I have 1 class and it's my last Friday of classes! Then Monday and Tuesday I have classes and then there's reading/study days on Wednesday and Thursday.  Finals start Friday! I'm planning on taking all of my finals on those 2 days except ASL because it's scheduled for Monday from 2-3.  I've already started to pack up the stuff I'm not taking home for the summer and this girl is so ready to come home it's not even funny.  Why you ask?

1. I miss the ocean

2. I miss my adorable little nieces Lexi, Kaytlin, and Addie

3. I miss Logan Collins, Zoe Smith, and Brianna McLaughlin (even though I'll only see Bri for 2 days)

4. I need to make money so I can keep affording to go to school

5. I'm ready for a break from school

6. I wanna fish and hike and swim and spend time outdoors

7. I just want to

Those are just a couple of the reasons why I'm so ready to go home and NOW rather than later.  And a few goals/bucket list items for this summer.  I'm not sure if they'll happen but I think it'd be fun and I want to!

1. Learn how to skateboard/ripstick and learn a few basic tricks

2. Swim where the water glows at night when you touch it

3. Hike Deer Mountain

4. Go camping (I never have in Ketchikan except survival trips in 7th/8th grade)

5. Actually workout (since that hasn't happened at school at all!)
6. Watch less TV

7. Try new foods (I'm sure this will happen since it did last summer and ever since!)

8. Soak up the sun whenever it's sunny and I'm off work-GET A TAN 

9. Go star gazing (Can't really see the stars here)

10. Make a real bucket list :p

Well that's about it for now.  I should get back to getting a head start on studying for finals and such.  Oh and P.S. I'm dying my hair tomorrow! A little darker brown than the last time, looks like the blonde really is gone for me for now at least.  

Till next time :)
SEE YOU SOON KETCHIKAN!