California

     Thanks to President's Day we had a three day weekend. So Jenny, Kazia, and I decided to drive down to Los Angeles. It was the longest drive and we spent a total of 36 hours in the car over 5 days, but it was so worth it! We explored LA, Hollywood, South Pasadena, and of course spent a day at the beach. It was the perfect little escape from school and from the cold. Being in California really made me question why I ever decided that Rexburg, Idaho was a good place to go to school, especially in the winter.

      

"California here we come. Right back where we started from" 

-Phantom Planet

It's Okay to Act Young Every Once In a While

     Being a 22 years old in the town that I am in, I am considered old. Take my own apartment for example, I am the oldest one, and am four years older than one of my roommates. It is weird being the oldest out of everyone. It takes a toll on you. I feel like I have to be the most responsible and reserved because of my age. And lets be real in the normal world, outside of the Rexburg bubble, 22 is still young.
     Anyway lately I haven't been going out and doing things because I feel too old, everyone at the parties are so much younger than me. It just feels weird. I have learned though, that avoiding things because of the fear of being the oldest one, leads to a really boring life. I would find myself just sitting at home on the weekends doing homework. This is not how I want to be spending my last few semesters at school. Yes I do want to do well in my classes but I also want to have fun.
     I am here to tell you that it is okay to not act your age every once in a while. There was a big dance party that was being held at an empty warehouse here in town a few weekends ago, a party which I was very reluctant and pretty much refused to even think about going to. I had heard that they normally end up being pretty sketchy. These were the types of parties I would never miss my first few semesters here at school, but once again, the thoughts of you're too old kept coming up.
     This particular party was a paint fight, which meant you go dressed in all white, and be prepared to be doused in paint while dancing the night away. All I could think about was how the DJ would probably play music I didn't know and people would be dancing all sorts of nasty ways. But I had some friends that really wanted to go. They convinced me to go with them, because the alternate would be sitting at home doing homework like usual.
      I reluctantly put together an outfit and headed to the party with my two friends trying to make the best of the situation. We walked in to a dark warehouse with the bass of the music bumpin'! Immediately I was like a freshman again. I lost all sense of care and let loose. I was ready to party! The night ended up being so fun, and luckily we were able to avoid all the sketchiness that comes along with any dance party. It ended up being a really great night.

     I had an epiphany that night. I need to not care about what every one else thinks. Just because I am "older" doesn't mean I still can't have fun. Now this is not the type of fun I would want to have every weekend, but it helped me realize a lot. You should never feel constricted because of what society has constructed as acceptable or not. Again, it is okay to not act your age all the time! Let yourself have fun. If you are in a similar situation to myself, all I can say is do what makes you happy. There can be a great balance in your life between fun and responsibility. You just have to be willing to make the effort to find that balance. Growing up doesn't have to be miserable, it can be the most exciting time of your life.

"Do What Makes You Oh-So Happy"

Week 1 and Week 2

     This is the first time that I have gone to school back to back semesters with such a small break in between. Normally I either have a three month break in between tracks or I have a seven week break. This time it was only a week and a half. Really it just feels like it has been one continuous semester. I am having mixed feelings about going to school year round but I am glad because I am now only three semesters, including this current one, away from graduating!
     It has been the most stressful first few weeks of school yet. Normally it starts out pretty slow, but not this time. It has been non stop. First off I moved into a new complex, after living in Nauvoo House for three years, Ive moved to The Gates. It is more of a town home feel and I really like it. It was hard moving after living in the same apartment for so long, but it was a much needed change. I really love the layout of my new place. Anna and I live on the first floor and the other four live upstairs. Our bathroom is connected to our room and our kitchen has two fridges. If I am being honest those were the two selling points for us. It is a little smaller than what I am used to hence why my closet is packed in nice and tight. I had to really squish my clothes in there to get them to fit. I am farther from campus now too, but since its so bitter cold and snowy this winter I bought a parking pass so I don't have to walk to my classes so early in the morning. So thank goodness for that.

     School has also been crazy. Now that I am so close to graduating my classes are no nonsense. Luckily I love my major and my minor and like what I am learning, but it is definitely a lot of work. All of this on top of working at the library. So I am working 15 hours and taking 15 credits. It is busy! I am hoping this next week will be better because I will be in more of a routine. Even though this is going to be a tiring semester, I am going to make the best of it!

"I'm not telling you it's going to be easy. I'm telling you it's going to be worth it." -Art Williams

Where To Begin

     With the new year there is always a lot of talk about goals and resolutions. I have never been good at making new years resolutions and actually sticking to them. How many times have I said I was going to give up Diet Coke? Probably every year since I can remember, and has it happened yet... Nope! 

     Anyway this year instead of making resolutions about things I wanted to change in my life, I decided to make a list of things that I wanted to accomplish this year.

     I left the last few blank because I know that as the year goes on I will think of other things that I want to accomplish. I am hoping that by posting this I will hold myself more accountable knowing that you all can see this too. So here's to a new year and doing things that make us better happy people!

                                                      "The Best Is Yet To Come"