Orem=Out of This World

Sure Orem has ice cold winters, Walmart weirdies, and the most dreadful drivers I have ever had the misfortune to encounter; but I am slowly beginning to realize this town has more to offer than the blatenly obvious negatives. 

The first great heaven sent positive was my roommates: Rylee, Ashley, and Meagan. Those girls made my transition  from STG to Orem nearly seamless, because even though I met them an hour after I stepped "creeper style" into the apartment for the first time, I feel like I have lived with them forever. I can't began to explain their coolness, or how grateful I am for them to allow me into the group. 

Secondly, it is so nice to have family here in the great "Up North." I have lived by Aunts, Uncles, and even young cousins before, but having cousins my age near by is a comforting thought. In fact the complex I am living in was even recommended by one of my cousins. His advice turned out to be gold, so I think I can trust him now.

Third plus: my job totally rocks! Truthfully, sitting on the phone for 4 hours a day is not ideal, but the people are pretty cool so it makes the time fly by (at least for now). I have a work "best friend" who is really the kid I sit by and pester for all the secrets of the job. I wounder if he is sick of me yet? Oh, and today I got to walk 2 feet down the imaginary runway, scoring a 8.9, which I consider a victory over my former 7 status.

Lastly, I have met the first absolutely adorable boy, on a list of what I'm sure will be many, that for one reason or another I can never have. Man, life is just so unfair. Fortunately, Orem seems to be swarming with all sorts of boys: gorgeous, cute, nice, fun, fit, intriguing, musical, you name it Orem has it. YIPPY!

Leaving my Room to Facing the Inevitable

I am sitting here on my bed and I am slowly realizing how much I am going to miss my room, or rather what it stands for.  It is pathetic really, I'll be the first to admit it is, but honest is the best policy right?  Plus, I feel like I put a lot into creating the proper ambiance of my beloved room. I feel like my room is a true reflection of who I am right now in my life: an eclectic (closeted) romantic. My friends can attest to my utter lack of romanticism, and I have little doubt some of them are currently making a "psh, yeah right" face. Well are you?
The soft ivory of my old room has been replaced by harsh black, and my light colors have been transformed into deeper richer versions of their former selves. I am sure there is a metaphor for life in there somewhere. Is it that I can no longer take sanctuary from my dynamic self? Should I be just as captivating in private as I am in public? This is to assume I am dynamic or captivating in real life. My thoughts have lead me back to Icarus by White Hinterland, a song that always gives we the sense of approaching inevitability without apprehension. Not to say I can't be timid in that approach, for it is does not suit anyone to be so welcoming to all inevitable aspects of life. Or does it?

  White Hinterland - Icarus by erinaomi

Ciao Ali Ciao STG

I feel as if I have been bidding a lot of farewells this week, but I am not the only one saying "au revoir St. George" (or rather ciao). One of Harbor and Duran's best friends, Ali, a girl I consider a little sister, is setting out on the brave journey of being a nanny in Italy. I couldn't be more happy for her! Ali is such a great girl, and considering I have known her since she was in the 4th grade I am completely qualified to make such a statement as to her character. She just graduated high school and with my brothers leaving on their missions come September 7th and nearly everyone else off to school, I think she felt like she needed an adventure. Only, she took it one step further and actually did something about it, which sadly is more than I can say for most of us, my self included. I gave her some of my clothes, some big hugs, and lots of advice on how not to look like a tourist. I am so proud of her and I have no doubt she will do great things! Also, Ali is going to be keeping up a blog (or at least intending to) on all the great things she does so please go check it out and show her some support!

To celebrate her European travels, my departure for school, and Harbor & Duran's leave on a 2 year LDS mission, we gathered the neighborhood kids and took one last trip to Denny's. The midnight outing was bitter sweet, but much more on the sweet side of things. There had been lots of hanging out with family, friends, and even people we don't really know, but it was a joy to have the "neighborhood siblings" together for one last time, well for the next couple of years at least. I am going to miss everybody, but I am not going to morn their loss just because we are separating. Believe me, there will be plenty of communication thanks to good old modern day technology!

Ciao!

Ali modeling her new clothes

My brother Duran

Duran and Harbor. Can you tell their twins?

Ali and Priscilla.  What good friends they are

My (tallest) littlest brother Ryker with Spencer (aka Fiddy Spence)

Kami, Ali, and I.  The neighborhood girls.

Fiddy Spence striking a pose.

Ryker.  Would you believe he is 6 foot 2?

Denny's food...yummy

Saving Friends and Strengthening Friendships

The day started out with a 2 am text message, and no, it was not a booty call. It was a cry for help, okay it wasn't that dramatic, it was more (not exact conversation):

A: Hey are you awake?

B: Sadly yes. I am horrible at sleeping.

A: Yes you are, hence why we are soul sisters. Are you possibly still in STG?

B: I shall be in town for the remainder of the week. Why?

A: I am in need of some saving.

B: Oh no! From what? Or who?

A: Just from this kids house. My ride fell asleep and we got in a tiff so I don't want to wake him.

B: Then I shall make hast.

A: Kay Kay, see you soon.

If you are wondering why my text started to sound somewhat old fashion, the answer is a simple one...I was reading Pride & Prejudice at the time. Anyways, to make a long story short, I picked her up, drove her home, then we had an awesome chat about boys, life, and my ever nearing move to "Happy Valley," Utah. 

My "soul sister" and I are a peculiar pair. We used to be the best of friends at the beginning of my Junior year of high school, which was her sophomore year. We were crazy wild, but not in a naughty sort of way; There was no sex, drugs, and rock and roll for us (well there was a little rock and roll). For better or worse, we encompassed the meaning of reckless abandon. We said senseless things, made stupid moves, and loved every single minute of it. Come on, who wouldn't love demonstrating how to drop and roll out the moon roof of a moving vehicle? However, life happened, as it often does, and we slowly drifted apart. The rare occasions we happened to see each other were joyous ones. We could talk for hours, but it was clear we ran in very different circles. Here we are, years later finally reconnecting, with a friendship just as random as it was before. I rescue her, she accompanies me on a spontaneous midnight trip to Lake Powell, you know the usual sort of thing. It is reasons like these that reassure me that our friendship is a lasting one. Growing older might cause us to loose touch again, but that doesn't matter much: I'll still save her at 2 am if she needs me to.

Marvelous Music: Sister Wife by Alex Winston

I hope the name of this song sound familiar considering I mentioned it in my last post, but does anyone actually read this blog? If by chance you did manage to read the last post, you are my new favorite person, and you would know that Sister Wife is the perfect song to sing while cruising on road trip (my mom even finds joy in reciting the lyrics). Even though (nearly) my whole family loves the song, the lyrics have sparked quite a debate.  And no, the debate has nothing to do with the concept of polygamy (which happens to be a common sight in my neck of the woods). The debate is all over one little word in the chorus: "Hey there sister wife, get the hell out its my...(debated word)" Some believe it says "life", but I am pretty well convinced the correct word is "night".  What do you think? Take a listen to Sister Wife and let me know who you think wins the debate?

P.S. I know this music video is bizarre, but don't hold that against the actual song.

 

(Window) Shopping in Vegas

This last Tuesday I took a short 2 hour road trip to Vegas with the purpose of accompanying my (fake) little sister as she does some birthday and school shopping.  As word of the trip spread the number of participants rapidly evolved to include: my mother, my little brother, my (fake) little brother/little brother of my little sister, and two of their friends.  Road tripping with soon to be high school sophomores and juniors was super entertaining.  At that age they are old enough to be independent, but too young to have really become streetwise. There is an innocently awkward in between stage, made even more prominent due to the fact that we come from a small "city".  However, if it were not for their blissful stage in life we probably would have felt foolish cruising in the escalade down Las Vegas Blvd with the windows unrolled while singing and dancing to Sister Wife by Alex Winston.  Instead, we thought we were the coolest thing to ever grace the Blvd.  It was a real shop till you drop trip; The girls made off with multiple bags full of clothing and accessories, I even "splurged" to buy 3 items: a VS bra, H&M tights and knee high socks.  All in all I am pleased to say it was an absolute blast, and the break I needed from all my moving preparations.