Summer with a capital S.

I feel like I haven't written about something for awhile. So. I just have random thoughts in my mind I'd like to share with the world, if that's alright. It's Summer! With a capital S. Therefore, my life is just this huge smashing event of delightfulness and I can't just compound it into one thought or one blog post. And I love bulletted lists. Here goes!

- Speaking of bulletted lists. Reason Number 482 that my major is the most incredible and well-suited major for me: I don't have to write a lot of essays. Just bulletted lists of treatment plans for patients. Treatment plans that require me to plan fun activities to help people find happiness in their lives.

- I've been a reading FIEND this summer. I just finished two books recently, East of Eden by John Steinbeck and The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. Both so beautiful and both are very differently written stylistically but so utterly the same in the way that they display the beauty and the ugliness of human-kind. Both peer into the human soul. And I'm not the best writer by any means and a lot of times I hate it (sue me!) but after reading these books I feel words are even more beautiful to me than they were before. And I have these random yet wonderful sentences that come into my mind that I could never compile into a book because I'd never have a patience for it. But anyways. Read these books?

- The Brandon Flowers Station on Pandora is by far the best.

- I like to learn about life. And I have learned a lot this summer. But not a difficult learning, like moving away was. A happy learning. Of course there is struggle but I feel like I can see a broader picture and I LOVE how much I've grown this summer already. I won't go into detail, and if you want I'm inviting you to ask me about it (because I like talking about life and stuffs) but I prayed to Heavenly Father to guide me this summer into preparing me for...so how do I phrase this? This may sound really weird. Ok it WILL sound weird. It is a weird? IT'S WEIRD. Actually let's rewind a little bit. There's this scripture, Alma 37:36, that talks about counseling with God in everything you do because He will guide you and I totally believe that God knows what is best for me and He's my best friend and knows everything about me. Not because He is all-omnipotent but because I tell Him anyway. And God knows that this is important for me to communicate with Him about every little thing because He just knows me and my mind and what I need. So anyways, that's the only way I can explain it. I prayed that God would help prepare me this summer for meeting my future Eternal Companion. Not that I would meet him or whatever but that God would prepare me...because it's a big deal! And I want to grow. It's just been really cool to meet boys (men?) and date and learn about myself and what I want. It's just interesting! So, if you have something in mind or need help with something, anything, even if you feel absolutely ridiculous about it, just ask God. It can turn out pretty nice.

- Driving around and talking is nice. So is riding my bike. And watching trashy tv shows with my best friends (Bachelorette and PLL anyone? Pure delight hahaha.) And visiting friends. Meeting people. Weekly edification at Institute. Watching testimonies grow--including mine. Trying new foods. Reading, reading, reading. Crafting. And camping. Nature in general, really. And growing.

TONGCHENG CHINA

This is where I'll be living in 3 months. Be jealous??? YEAH.

Have Safe!! Wait.

 This weekend I got to rediscover my love for red rock country with my friends in Hatch, UT. Probably some of my most favorite memories will come from this trip. It was wonderful to be with people I loved so much and in a place so beautiful. It just felt like I was living out in the Wild West with saloons, cowboys (attractive ones at that...true story!) and the dry wind and dirt. The Earth is such a wondrous place and I'm so grateful that there are places still untouched by the human influence. Places where I can escape and find myself and be one with nature and run around naked. Too far? Don't worry. I kept my clothes on. I just wanted to say that for shock factor---even though sometimes no clothes is not bad. Moving on!! Nature is beautiful. I just don't know how someone could believe this beautiful earth, or universe for that matter, could just explode out of no where. I don't know what you believe in, but after seeing the magnificent beauty of it all, I know it must have been created. And I'm thankful to that Creator for giving me this life so I could experience the small moments of peace and harmony such as this weekend. Shall we take a looks-y?

Our first trip to the coral to look at the horseys. Just the beginning of a  LOT of maaaaagic. Because we met a cowboy. An attractive one.

 Sometimes I grab some gin and hang out with my old friends. They're a lively bunch?

 Just really excited to get my cowgirl on!!! And the fact that Mr. Cowboy was taking us on our excursion through Bryce Canyon whilst riding on the back of a horse--or mule.

 EXCITEMENT! I like this picture because I think I look a lot like my Grandma Rini.

 So this is Austin the Cowboy. Pretty much the cutest, shyest, most attractive cowboy you'll ever lay eyes upon. We had a good 'ol time chatting in the front with him teasing me on how I couldn't get my horse to go any faster than a turtle without legs. I JUST DIDN'T HAVE THE HEART TO KICK IT IN THE SIDES!

LOOK AT THIS VIEW! This Earth is a miracle in itself.

 Again. So picturesque. Don't you wanna just move away from the city and live like this forever?

So. Just a little story. We wrote down our numbers to give to Austin after the ride and it turns out he wrote down his number and was ready to give it to us too! After the ride we all exchanged numbers and we tipped him (a lot. He deserved it. SO MUCH---he wrangled wild horse which was the hottest thing I've ever seen in my life. Ask Shelby.) and we took pictures and such and I as we were leaving, he was so nervous that the only words he could really articulate were "have safe!" And it was adorable. That's when we knew his kindness to us was genuine and that he wasn't just trying to get a nice fat tip. And hence, the name of this post: have safe. But it gets better! As we are backing out in our car, Emily ever-so-gracefully hits the curb and scrapes the bottom of her car...and it was LOUD. And quite possibly the funniest thing that ever happened in my life because Austin looked back and his face was filled with genuine concern. And we just laughed our heads off. And then, as we drove away, he took his hat off and waved it. Just like a movie! It was wonderful in every way.

Moral of the story: I am thankful for my friends. I am blessed to live on this Earth. And sometimes embarrassing things happen to everyone. All the time.

diners, motorcycles and general authorities.

This weekend was wonderful in SO many ways. Reason number 1:

I went to a nice little diner in Salt Lake with a few of my best friends. Who doesn't like some nice and eclectic culture filled with art and good food??

We love each other a lot. And good food!!

We are all secretly (or not so secretly) waiting for him. Our little missionary.


Reason number 2:

CAMPING!! There's nothing like the great outdoors. I'm just sayin' I'm gonna need to marry a man--Nay. A MOUNTAIN MAN-- who is down with getting dirty and going for an adventure. Often.

Me and my bro just getting ready to go camping!

Feelin' all the adrenaline after our motorcycling and four-wheeling.

So comfy and cozy. :))


And third:

CONFERENCE!! So amazing. I went with my friend Sofie, whom I love so very much. She is amazing.

Me and my sister!! We love the color green.

Boston, Sofie, and I! Just happy to be at the temple.

Conference was sooo good. Definitely needed to hear most of it. If not all of it.
Here are a couple of gems spoken by my friends, Elder Holland and President Uchtdorf:
-Never underestimate your potential and power for good
-Strive to be better and strive to help others to do the same
-Everyone experiences the storms of life. Strong homes and families will stand if we hear and act on the prophets' teachings
-Find a way to put the prophets' teaching in our life
-Don't miss out on the divine opportunity of selfless service
-We are free to choose but we are not free to choose the consequences
-accept divine help and choose the right
-be concerned about your own conversion and then help others by laboring diligently through trials--it's a life-long, noble task.
-Be not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ
-Today is the ideal time to relight the powers of conversion by:
having a current temple recommend, studying the word of God, and speaking with Heavenly Father daily

Really. It was a very good conference and this isn't even half of the good stuff. I hope you could pick up something good for yourself too. Happy Sunday!!

said the little stream.

GIVE. I just read this article and I thought I'd share. Aren't people cool?

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/upshot/kentucky-man-buys-kmart-inventory-gives-away-220043176.html

beautiful.

"Life is beautiful when you make the effort to find beauty in it. In some of the most materially deprived parts of the world, I have seen the sunrise in all of its splendor and heard birds joyously welcoming a new day. I have seen beauty reflected in a small pot of flowers by a humble shelter or in the shy, beaming grin of a child at play, intent on discovering the world around him."--- Richard G. Scott

Feliz Cinco De Mayo

Turn up the Mariachi music and go buy yourself a taco!!