Friday, May 22, 2009

Contentment


The placid days grow longer

Warm breezes lift cotton skirts as little girls dance in the grass

The lazy hum of summer starts to sink in

Days melt together

The poppies along the stone walk, with petals like tangerine crepe paper, their drooping heads give off a carefree air

Everything in the world seems right.

Thursday, May 14, 2009

River Rat + five pokes

I got a second job. But it's more like Michelle gets to play outside all summer instead of washing dishes at Brown Brothers... although I'll still be doing a bit of that. I am working for High Country Rafting as a river guide!! Which means that I will get to take people down the Provo river in rafts and kayaks and get sweet chaco lines. What could be better than that? I walked into the information meeting and gazed around at all the boys with long hair, hemp bracelets, chacos, and bandanas and got really excited. It reminded me of all the times Erin and I talked about going granola and becoming river women. Living the dream, only minus Erin. In addition to learning to tame the Provo river (haha, ahem...) to gain some experience, the crew will be taking trips to run a few additional rivers including the colorado in Moab in two weeks. I'm pumped. Seriously.
Mission news: I've had four shots and one finger prick in the past three days. We are getting very close now!

Monday, May 11, 2009

Runnin'-runnin-in

I hate running. I've heard all the arguments in favor of this less-than-appealing mode of exercise - the great way to see places and experience the outdoors, the great chance to set goals and see improvement, the great great feeling you get at the end of a long run... But I still don't get it. Running hurts every part of my body.

Nevertheless, I have been running three times a week with my African Lover (story to come, maybe, I still don't really know who reads this) and today he decided we should run up the hill behind the Timpview baseball diamond a few times. I. WANTED. TO. DIE.

(African Lover)


Keep telling me that this is good for me, that it will get easier, that I will get slimmer, that I will feel more alive.

For now I still hate it.

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Home

Home is a beautiful word that means many different things to different people. So I have found myself at home again, meaning I moved back in with my parents, a very good move. I love being in this house. I love having my family around. I love the big yard and trees and flowers. I love feeling like a part of family all the time, although I have been consistently sleeping through 6 am scripture time which I intend to repent of.

This has been a busy week for the fam (nothing is ever very busy for me - I have oodles of time to do with as I please at the moment, although getting another job is what my mother would like me to be doing... we can get into that later) but it has been kind of fun to be the extra adult around the house. I like helping Ali and Will with their homework. I like making deals with Will so he practices. I like hearing about the things they are involved in on a daily basis as opposed to a weekly basis. I took them both to a little Salvadorean restaurant on center street last night that I discovered through a friend and we had a great time trying new food, making it home in time to enjoy American Idol and Fringe over icecream. It was good sibling bonding time.

For those who didn't know, I'm almost done with my mission papers and hope to be getting my call in the beginning of June. I'm so excited about my decision to serve, but being home has made me realize how much I am going to miss my family. And I think that is a good thing. Spending all the time I can with them now and strengthening my relationship with each person is exactly what I feel like I should be doing. I am so grateful for the time I have to be HOME.