The Meeting.

So.. for the past week I have been living alone in my apartment.

And by alone, I don't just mean on my own.

And I don't just mean on my own with 4 roommates.

No, I mean roommate-less.

You see, I started a connections class on Wednesday and it went everyday from 9 am-4 pm until Saturday.

So.. when I wasn't in class, I was at my apartment. Or my friend's apartments if I was lucky.

But every night as I got ready for bed, I was truly by myself in what seems like my big apartment. (At least when I'm alone it seems real big..)

So.. I would lock the front door. Run down the stairs into my room. Shut my door. Lock it. Turn all my lights on. Turn my music on.

And sit.

Wondering where to start. What to do to get myself organized. Moved in.

I hung sweaters, moved pictures, plugged in lamps, cleaned everything I could, made lists of what I needed, etc. etc. etc.

So.. that helped. But when I did finally have to turn the lights off, climb into my cold sheets, and listen to the moaning of the pipes...I was reminded that I was in fact, still alone.

Not a crying lonesome depressed alone.

A curious alone. An anxious alone.

I would lie in bed every night trying to picture what my roommates might be like.

Would they be friendly? Outgoing? Quiet? Weird..? Fun? What would sharing a kitchen be like? What about fridge space? Would I see them a lot?

What would they be like?

Well, last night I finally got the answers to my questions.

My roommates all moved in. My curiosity has finally subsided.

There are 5 of us. Every one of us different, but a lot the same.

Upstairs, there's Emily and Shelby. Emily is a small blonde hair blue eyed beauty, cheering on the USU cheer squad. Shelby is a shy yet friendly girl getting used to going outside her comfort zone.

On the main floor, there's Kirsten. Kirsten is a small-town girl from Kamas Utah, quite kept to herself, but very nice whenever she's around.

Downstairs, there's Aubry and I. Aubry is a spunky brunette full of energy and life.

So, needless to say, I got very lucky with my roommates. All the nights of staying up late wondering who I would be living with for the next 9 months...paid off.

You now know who I will be living with but you may be wondering what exactly my apartment looks like.

Here is a small preview... It is far from being done but this is my little piece of work in progress...

(....pictures of my roommates..coming soon!)

Birthday Surprises.

Well, as most of you know today is my birthday.

And, as most of you know, I do not love being the center of attention.

In fact.

I hate it. (Okay "we don't hate anything" Dad I know...but I really, really, dislike it.)

So today, was very special.

A new kind of birthday.

A birthday away from home. friends. family.

A birthday in my very own apartment.

A birthday on campus. In class.

Wait wait wait...apartment? Campus? Class?

Am I saying my birthday... at college?

Yes that is exactly it. It's very different. Like I said.

Nobody knows its your birthday unless you tell them.

And I didn't. And it was amazing. No one forcing decisions upon me because I'm "the birthday girl" or giving me special attention because it's "my birthday."

Don't get me wrong- I love my birthday. I love celebrating it with my family and close friends.

Cake. Ice cream. Presents. Laughter.

All of it. It is fun, once a year to focus on my life so far.

But in a new town, hardly knowing a soul.. It's not so fun to have the entire class of 500 kids..

..staring..

..at..

me.

Because its my birthday.

Nonetheless, I have to thank my friends. My new friends. Friends I did not have a year ago. A month ago. Even a week ago.

Because they took the time to make my birthday something not just different...

But to make my first birthday away from everything familiar, something truly special.

Come what may.

I spent the night at my sister's last night. And, as usual, we had the time of our lives.

It began with a big lunch...filled with soft tortellini smothered in a mixture of alfredo and tomato sauce, Italian bread topped with fresh basil and tomato (homegrown from Lisa's garden) and a blanket of melted mozzarella cheese.

Needless to say, it was delicious. As usual.

After we ate, we went swimming. Right as the storm blew in. As usual. However, it didn't stop us. As usual. We had hands-up-stands-up contests. And, in between bouts of laughter, we played categories/sharks and "minerals", and a ridiculous game of marco polo.

After our long afternoon at the pool, we hurried inside for our warm showers. As usual.

Once we were comfortable, we had an exquisite chinese food dinner (complete with smart cookie for dessert) And once filled, we settled in for a good movie. As usual.

It was a blast. As usual.

And I could stop there. With our usual afternoon. Doing our usual fun activities. But I would be forgetting the most important part of my weekend adventure.

The not so usual part.

It started out usual. Getting ready for bed. Slipping on one of Jon's big t-shirts and crawling into my bed. (Yes my bed at her house. Don't worry, I do feel privileged.)

It continued, as it usually does, my brother-in-law passed out face first on top of the covers...

And with my big sister crawling into bed next to me. She answered the unasked question. She brushed her fingers through my hair and drew shapes on my cheeks and down my arm. Calming every doubt, every fear, every worry.

As usual.

My little niece started to cry and my sister hurried out of my room and into her little girl's room. Moments later she returned, Mary in her arms no longer crying, and once again climbed in bed next to me.

Then something else happened. That was far from usual.

Unusual.

We switched roles. I touched my niece's new, soft hair and drew shapes on her cheeks and down her arms.

The three of us lay in silence. Savouring this unusual moment. Unreal moment I should say.

And then we made promises.

Promises that took me back to when I was the one laying in her position.

Cuddled up in my sisters bed for one of the last times before she left for college.

Before she left for new friends.. for her new life.

Back to when we made these exact same promises.

We promised that distance would never seperate us. Promised that I would tell her everything. Promised that she would never judge me, never turn her back on me. Promised that I would come home a lot and visit. Promised she would come there. Promised that I would be okay. Promised that she would always, always be there for me.

Promises that brought tears to my eyes.

Because I know, that we will never break them...

Come what may.

Reflections.

The sun was still there, still warming my skin, but s l o w l y teasing me by hiding behind the red rocks.

The boat was racing across the surface of the water so fast it couldn't possibly disturb the peaceful life underneath.

I was sitting in the bow, my hair whipping the air behind me, and occasionally my cheeks as well. There were no cars, no phones, no pestering.

The busy of life was forgotten.

My worries bagged up and flying right out my head, through my hair, and burying themselves beneath the warm water.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I could feel my sunkissed cheeks and tight skin pull slightly from the motion.

There were a few straggling boats in the distance, all with the worn look of happiness splashing across their beautiful bodies.

I looked back at my dad, his backwards hat and aviator glasses forcing a smile across my face. His face was tan, his forehead was no longer stressed with lack of sleep and long hard days at work.

Instead it was pressed with delight.

I stared at him and love overflowed my body. He was why I was here. Why I had the chance to enjoy the most beautiful place on earth. He gave me happiness. Love. Family. Life.

At that moment I wished I could freeze time.

I promised myself I would remember that moment forever.

As the boat lost speed, my hair slowly swirled back around my face and once again sheltered my tired body.

The smell of dinner escaped the houseboat and filled my nose. My mouth watered.

The sheltering rock walls encircled us with happiness.

This was truly unforgettable. Enchanting.

I was captivated in the beauty of God's creations. In the love of my family. In the trust of friendship. In the pureness of joy. And because of that, I know I am blessed.