I'm gonna miss this place.

Welll I'm going back to Texas in approximately 8-11 hours depending on when Bailey gets to leave the dentist in the morning.

Poor soul.

It was such a lovely month at home. Perfect really. 

I definitely had some moments I wish not to repeat never happened. So I am going to pretend they never happened and move on. =)

I think I grew up this month. I guess I am always growing up and yeah, I turned twenty and stuff, but in all seriousness..

 something has changed within me..

Something is not the same.. 

I'm through with playing the rules

 or someone else's gaaaamme

Okay I just had a moment and started singing that song in my head and it came through my fingers. 

For those bloggers and blogstalkers out there that didn't catch on an thought I was trying to be inspirational, I actually just accidentally just started singing Defying Gravity from Wicked. 

But really. I'm different... again. Man I keep changing huh? Word.

I freaking miss my brothers and sisters so much already I am adding three/four hours onto my thirty six hour drive so I can see Jenn and Brian again.

And I'm so excited. 

I always have a good time with my family, but this time it was different..

I have the best siblings. Seriously. I don't ever remember ever getting in a fight what my brother, ever. He has never had anything rude to say to me. He treats all his little sisters so well. 

And my sisters? Where would I be without my sisters. They have taught me so much, good and bad. =) 

And my brothers in-law. They just fit so well with our family. It's so great. I just love when everyone is altogether. 

Anyway. Besides having a blast with my family, this Christmas was special for me.

I definitely had some much needed answers to prayers... on more than one occasion.

They came in ways I wasn't expecting.

The Lord really watches out for all of His children. I'm so grateful to know that I am in his constant care.

I also really like this little thought.

Well. Enough. I like this place called home and I'm going to miss it.

I'm going to miss my parents so much. They have been way too good to me. 

Oh crap I'm going to cry all over again.

Well. Adios amigos. Wish me luck on my cross country drive. I'm gonna need it.

dreamer.

Well. I have finished four out of my nine finals for the semester. I have five more in the next three days. I should have spent the weekend studying. Right now I should be stressed out or reviewing notes or maybe even getting ready for bed. I should be cramming. I should be making flash cards or frantically searching for answers...... but for some reason.. 

all I can think about right now is how wonderful life would be if I were... 

a gypsy. 

How truly fabulous. Travelling the world from place to place. Dancing in the streets. Running away from everything. I would for sure run away to Europe. The streets of London are calling my name I believe. And then to Spain. And Ireland. I have always wanted to see Whales. Scotland. Ahhhh so much freedom? Seriously. Imagine that.

or a professional ballerina.

Imagine the calloused feet and aching joints. Or the incredibly toned muscles and the inner and outer strength that would be achieved. Imagine the blood, sweat, and tears. Imagine the complete gratification of being able to be apart of moving art and inspiring amateur dancers such as myself to become great. Ahhh how wonderfully fulfilling.

or a writer. 

Hiding deep in the streets of Manhattan. 

Perhaps aching to be published in the copious columns of big time NY magazines. 

Or maybe just striving to become that delicious book discovered in the corner of an antique store, seventy five years from now. Or maybe just living off of that thrill of knowing that someone likes what you have to say.

Perhaps in another lifetime.

photo sources.

odd.

You know what's odd?

It's July 9th. 

Cody is 21% done his two years in Puerto Rico.

Five months.

150 days.

Almost 1/4. 

Over 1/5.

Oddddddd. Time goes faster every day.

But there is something else that is odd.

You see. Cody is lost.

Yep. No idea where he is.

I have never been to Puerto Rico or anything

 so I guess I never "know" where he is exactly..

But at least I normally have a name of a place.

Or an address?

Lemmmee explain.

Cody got transferred to a new area last Wednesday. ...

but all he knew when he emailed home was that he was getting transferred.

It's odd.

I don't know where he is.

San Juan?

Back in Bayamon?

.. or like. the Virgin Islands?

Africa? (it could happen)

I just have no idea.

Does anyone else out there know?

I guess I'll find out Wednesday.

source.

Passport and Lays

First things first.

I'm pleased to say that:

 Orlando greeted me with the nicest weather I've ever experienced on my trips here. 

90+ degrees is feeling fabulous.

The airport has officially completed the renovations on the ceiling

The airport smells the same.. a hint of mildew. 

The grass is still thick. Like quack grass kinda.. only not.

Okay world. Mishap of the trip #1.

As I left my little home for the 2 hour drive to Calgary so I could sleep at my aunt's house and catch my plane the next morning, I thought to myself, "I hope I didn't forget anything.." I looked at my dad and then came to the conclusion that all I needed was a passport and my wallet and I could buy anything else that was necessary. He laughed and agreed.

The next morning I woke up early early early and was just making sure I knew where everything was so I could get through the airport check-in and security as quick as possible, and as my hand reached around the bottom of my backpack, I knew something was missing. I suddenly felt my entire body fit into my esophagus. Thats how big the lump in my throat was. My wallet was gone. I closed my eyes and remembered taking it out of my backpack at 7 eleven on my car ride to Calgary. I definitely had no recollection of putting it back into my backpack. I quickly searched my suitcase, but it was no use. I knew. I text my dad who was sleeping, I'm fairly certain, and said..

"Dad.. does my wallet happen to be in the jeep :( "

It was. 

About a million thoughts passed through my head.

Some from.. who needs money anyway...

all the way to.. I'm stuck in Calgary when Sher and Chad are at the Magic Kingdom and I'm never going to make it there..

Oh wait. 

Thank goodness I had my passport.

The taxi was already outside, and ever so generously, my uncle paid my cab fare. I didn't even have a quarter. 

I get really nauseous in airports and on airplanes... especially early in the morning, so there was no way I could eat breakfast. Not to mention I didn't have time. Bleh. 

But during my two hour layover in Houston by 2 in the afternoon..., I was hungry. 

Everyone was eating. And to top it off, the lady sitting across from me decided she wasn't hungry and threw away her meal. 

So wasteful. I remembered that at that stupid 7 eleven that cost me my wallet for the trip, I bought a bag of Lays Salt and Vinegar chips and only ate half the bag. 

I opened my backpack and found a half a bag of smooshed S&V chips calling my name.

So good.

I eventually arrived in Orlando where my sister and brother in law picked me up at the airport holding two fibre bars and a mountain dew. They are the greatest.

Apparently you can email money. I emailed my trip savings into their account this morning and took out the cash. No problemo.

The first thing I learned this trip, is the only thing you need to travel is your passport.

And a half a bag of Lays S&V chips.

5416.64 km. 3378.76 miles.

Today, it has been exactly nine weeks since Cody flew to Salt Lake City.

Cody is no longer in the MTC. He is officially in Puerto Rico! 

It is actually surprising how fast 9 weeks has gone. 

After three weeks in Provo, and then six weeks in the Dominican Republic, a whole lot of Spanish and a whole bunch of letters and parcels, he made it. :)

source.

How long do yo think mail is going to take? 

...

Fortunately, Puerto Rico is part of the United States Postal System, so I don't have to worry about it taking too long. And since I am lucky enough to have a post office box in the US, I don't even have to worry about international mail rates. :)

 Still though. Thats kinda far away.

There is exactly 3378.759 miles between where I live, and his mission home.

It honestly makes no difference how many miles away he is. It feels the same as it did when he was in Provo.

I'm happy for him!