Hey hey hey! So, I've been back in Texas for 2 weeks now and its seems like I've been here for at least a month, if not more! Its going by SO sllooooooowwwwww. Despite all the suckinesses of being home, it has been so much fun getting to be with my family. My mom and I roadtripped down to Austin this week to see Wicked and it was AMAZING. Two thumbs way, way up! :) And its been great to spend everyday with my sister and my nieces. There's always something funny that Syd or Malla do or say that keeps a smile on my face. I haven't been able to find a job yet, but its been a blessing actually because I've been able to still go to the temple once a week. I stayed there for about 4 hours this week...I never want to leave. Its the one place where I can feel complete peace and I definitely need that! I am starting to teach dance lessons again though, which is good. I have about 15 students so far, so its taking off :)
I think I may have figured out one of the reasons why Heavenly Father wanted me to move back despite all my protesting...everyone that I've talked to (and that's been a lot actually) that goes to the singles ward here has told me how it has just plummeted steadily down since about a year ago. I haven't quite figured out why yet, but not many ppl like it and there's not much of a ward family connection there anymore. I have a couple of friends that have been struggling with it especially and so its been good for us to stick through it together...but now that I'm here, they were saying that they want me to try to help them figure out things to do to bring the ward back together...maybe that's why I'm here. I dunno...but either way, I've got my work cut out for me!
But instead of going on about how much I miss Provo and wish I were still there, I've decided I need to be more positive about my situation. I haven't quite gotten to the point where I'm genuinely happy to be here yet, but it'll come...I just have to keep my faith and my hope that the Lord will help me to turn things around for myself. I found this song that I REALLY love...and sadly, its by Miley Cyrus hahaha....I never thought I'd ever admit that I liked one of her songs. haha. Oh well...at least its not Hillary Duff or anything. Then I know I'd be going insane :) Here's the lyrics...they're pretty good!
The Climb
I can almost see it
That dream I am dreaming
But there's a voice inside my head saying
"You'll never reach it"
Every step I'm taking
Every move I make feels
Lost with no direction
My faith is shaking
But I gotta keep trying
Gotta keep my head held high
There's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be a uphill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose
Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb
The struggles I'm facing
The chances I'm taking
Sometimes might knock me down
But no, I'm not breaking
I may not know it
But these are the moments that
I'm gonna remember most, yeah
Just gotta keep going
And I, I got to be strong
Just keep pushing on
'Cause there's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be a uphill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose
Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb, yeah!
There's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be an uphill battle
Somebody's gonna have to lose
Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb, yeah!
Keep on moving, keep climbing
Keep the faith, baby
It's all about, it's all about the climb
Keep the faith, keep your faith, whoa
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
7 Wonders of Provo
So, my time left in Provo is short so I thought I would do a shout out to my 7 favorite places in Provo. This was kinda hard seeing as how most of the things that I do are outside of Provo, but I made it work :) Just know that most of them have to do with food and/or ice cream. But that shouldn't surprise anyone. These are in no particular order except for number 1. :) Here we go!!!
7. Provo River
I've only floated down this place twice, but both times were absolutely hilarious! Not to mention that its BEAUTIFUL during the summer. There is this point where there is a bridge with pillars and when your tubes are tied together, if you don't all go through the same gap, you can imagine what would happen. haha So classic. Not to mention that the last time I went, I was given the partially deflated tube. My tail bone was NOT happy. Those rocks are ruthless. :) But still...I had the time of my life. Except for when I thought that wearing SPF 4 would be good enough. hahahahaha. Holy burned. I'll never forget that summer....yikes!
6. Center Street
I LOVE Center Street...especially during Christmas time. Its so much fun to walk down at night when the trees are all lit and fun. Its just old timey feeling and I LOVE it. Not to mention, that two of my favorite places are on Center Street: Gloria's Little Italy (some of the BEST Italian food ever) and Sammy's...they make pie milkshakes...SO GLORIOUS.
5. BYU Baseball/Football fields
These share the same parking lots, so I figured I could bunch them together. :) I've had so much fun with my friends going to baseball and football games and cheering on my friends that are playing on the teams. Go Cougars!!!! (p.s. our shirts say "Even Saints Play Nasty" just in case you couldn't tell) haha
4. J Dawgs/Smart Cookie
Oh my yummy. J Dawgs has the BEST hot dogs EVER. Their secret sauce is like the best secret ever kept...holy yummy! I'm gonna miss you J Dawgs. :) Right next to J Dawgs is Smart Cookie. Also to die for. Two cookies of your choice on the outside of some delicious ice cream. Oh. My. Word. Two dollars has never brought so much happiness to my life before. Except for when Star Wars and Harry Potter are in the dollar theater. But, that should've been assumed :)
3. King Kong Kone/Sub Zero
Okay, the King Kong Kone (from now on will be referred to as the KKK...classy, I know) is HUGE. Seriously...they pack this frozen yogurt taller than my head. I almost didn't finish it and that's saying something. I never leave ice cream uneaten. I'm proud to say that I've successfully conquered the KKK!!! SO GOOD. And its only like a buck. So, I was wrong...there's one more thing that under 2 bucks that makes me feel like I'm in a total Utopia. Go figure that its ice cream right? :) Sub Zero is way fun too. They make the ice cream how you want it (flavors and mix ins) in front of you with liquid nitrogen. You can imagine how much joy I felt when I heard they were moving it closer to my apartment complex. Honestly, I'm surprised I didn't blog about it :)
2. Y Mountain
I've had some good times trying to hike up this mountain despite the fact that I'm a wimp and can only go so far without stopping. Its always way fun to hike it at night though and then get to look out over Provo and see all of the lights and fun things to see. I also wet my pants on top of Y mountain before which is always a great story. :) I slipped as we were coming down and it scared me. Yeah...good times. This picture was taken after we'd hiked up it once and Melly dared me to lay upside down on it. Dont you just LOVE my yellow pit stains? hahah Sick...that shirt as been good to me. Good thing I cut it up and sewed it into a blanket, huh?
1. Provo Temple
The Provo temple has gotten me through so many good and bad times. Its the one place that I could go to find peace, no matter what. Sometimes, we'd just go and sit on the temple grounds if we didn't have time to go inside so that we could just be there and feel the spirit. One of my favorite parts is when I walk outside and the sun is setting behind the mountains. Its SO beautiful...hence the picture. I'm really going to miss having a temple so close to me. Its so nice to pass it multiple times a day and remember why I'm here. The 5 minute drive will be sorely missed. As will my weekly, sometimes biweekly visits to go inside the temple walls and stand as proxy for those who have passed. Its one of my favorite things to do and I hope that I can still find the time and money to go constantly once I move home, despite the distance.
So, friends...there you have it. My 7 favorite places in Provo. Despite all the sucky things there is about it, its been my home for the last 5 years and I will miss it dearly. So, Provo...here's to you! XOXO
7. Provo River
I've only floated down this place twice, but both times were absolutely hilarious! Not to mention that its BEAUTIFUL during the summer. There is this point where there is a bridge with pillars and when your tubes are tied together, if you don't all go through the same gap, you can imagine what would happen. haha So classic. Not to mention that the last time I went, I was given the partially deflated tube. My tail bone was NOT happy. Those rocks are ruthless. :) But still...I had the time of my life. Except for when I thought that wearing SPF 4 would be good enough. hahahahaha. Holy burned. I'll never forget that summer....yikes!
6. Center Street
I LOVE Center Street...especially during Christmas time. Its so much fun to walk down at night when the trees are all lit and fun. Its just old timey feeling and I LOVE it. Not to mention, that two of my favorite places are on Center Street: Gloria's Little Italy (some of the BEST Italian food ever) and Sammy's...they make pie milkshakes...SO GLORIOUS.
5. BYU Baseball/Football fields
These share the same parking lots, so I figured I could bunch them together. :) I've had so much fun with my friends going to baseball and football games and cheering on my friends that are playing on the teams. Go Cougars!!!! (p.s. our shirts say "Even Saints Play Nasty" just in case you couldn't tell) haha
4. J Dawgs/Smart Cookie
Oh my yummy. J Dawgs has the BEST hot dogs EVER. Their secret sauce is like the best secret ever kept...holy yummy! I'm gonna miss you J Dawgs. :) Right next to J Dawgs is Smart Cookie. Also to die for. Two cookies of your choice on the outside of some delicious ice cream. Oh. My. Word. Two dollars has never brought so much happiness to my life before. Except for when Star Wars and Harry Potter are in the dollar theater. But, that should've been assumed :)
3. King Kong Kone/Sub Zero
Okay, the King Kong Kone (from now on will be referred to as the KKK...classy, I know) is HUGE. Seriously...they pack this frozen yogurt taller than my head. I almost didn't finish it and that's saying something. I never leave ice cream uneaten. I'm proud to say that I've successfully conquered the KKK!!! SO GOOD. And its only like a buck. So, I was wrong...there's one more thing that under 2 bucks that makes me feel like I'm in a total Utopia. Go figure that its ice cream right? :) Sub Zero is way fun too. They make the ice cream how you want it (flavors and mix ins) in front of you with liquid nitrogen. You can imagine how much joy I felt when I heard they were moving it closer to my apartment complex. Honestly, I'm surprised I didn't blog about it :)
2. Y Mountain
I've had some good times trying to hike up this mountain despite the fact that I'm a wimp and can only go so far without stopping. Its always way fun to hike it at night though and then get to look out over Provo and see all of the lights and fun things to see. I also wet my pants on top of Y mountain before which is always a great story. :) I slipped as we were coming down and it scared me. Yeah...good times. This picture was taken after we'd hiked up it once and Melly dared me to lay upside down on it. Dont you just LOVE my yellow pit stains? hahah Sick...that shirt as been good to me. Good thing I cut it up and sewed it into a blanket, huh?
1. Provo Temple
The Provo temple has gotten me through so many good and bad times. Its the one place that I could go to find peace, no matter what. Sometimes, we'd just go and sit on the temple grounds if we didn't have time to go inside so that we could just be there and feel the spirit. One of my favorite parts is when I walk outside and the sun is setting behind the mountains. Its SO beautiful...hence the picture. I'm really going to miss having a temple so close to me. Its so nice to pass it multiple times a day and remember why I'm here. The 5 minute drive will be sorely missed. As will my weekly, sometimes biweekly visits to go inside the temple walls and stand as proxy for those who have passed. Its one of my favorite things to do and I hope that I can still find the time and money to go constantly once I move home, despite the distance.
So, friends...there you have it. My 7 favorite places in Provo. Despite all the sucky things there is about it, its been my home for the last 5 years and I will miss it dearly. So, Provo...here's to you! XOXO
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