We Got Married

         So I know that the announcement that I was suddenly married was shocking to a few people. Honestly, it's shocking to me too. Oliver and I are saying that we eloped even though it's not 100% true. For a few months now, Oliver and I have been talking about getting married in December or January. When December passed and January begun, ideas and dates were being tossed around continuously. One day we decided YES, let's do it. We gave ourselves and our immediate families just over two weeks to prepare. The whole thing was low key, simple, and easy. Oliver didn't even propose till two days before the wedding. We were married at an older gentleman's house on Friday the 18th. We were solely joined by our immediate family. He wore a shirt and tie, and I wore a beaded ivory dress from Macy's that my dad found on sale. After the beautiful ceremony, our families escorted us to dinner at The Beehive Grill here in Logan. It couldn't have been a better night.
          Ollie and I are now so incredibly happy, and unbelievably overwhelmed with the love and support that we have gotten from so many friends and family. We felt bad that not everyone could be apart of our special day, so we will be planning an open house to take place next month at his parents house in Brigham City. A date is yet to be set, but we will make sure that we send out invitations to all. Thank you again for all of the love and support that we have received  This is such a blessed and happy time in our life. We couldn't be more excited that we get to be here together.

 

Books

During the past two summers I have had the opportunity to live abroad. One of the highlights of these summers was my spare time that I had to read. Although I enjoyed traveling and experiencing new things, my desire and love for reading has reached some of it's peaks while abroad. This Christmas break I made the goal to read two books. Well, school starts again on Monday and I have probably read no more than seventy pages all together. Sadly, I have been distracted by my black box that turns my eyes glossy.  Today as I was packing up my books I noticed how many books I actually have, and how many of them I haven't read. You see, I have a bad addiction to books. I buy them whenever I can find them cheap. I can't seem to leave DI without at least five, and I love going to books sales and picking up interesting looking books, or old books, and smelling the pages and wondering what the magical cream colored pages could be filled with.
Today made me terribly sad that I had wasted so much time in front of the TV this vacation instead of reading. My mind could have been filled in so many interesting ways, and instead it was filled with goop.
Here is to my one and only new year resolution. Spend more time reading. Fill my mind with creative ideas and unique possibilities, write about it, read more, write about that, write about writing, and then read what I wrote. Done.

Photo of the Day

Here are some photos of the day from Yen Magazine. Enjoy their beauty.

and then I realized....

The past few months have been so interesting. 

For the longest time I felt like I couldn't breath,

like I was going to drown in my challenges and heartache,

today I don't feel that way. 

When I realized that bruises on your knees are called strawberries

and that being happy is a choice

and that sometimes love is all that matters

and that the truth is hard to hear

and that junk food is delicious

and that muscle and courage take time to build

and that coffee shops don't solve all problems, 

I realized that I love a boy

with all my heart, 

and right now, he is what matters. 

I Do

Today I needed a little Andrea Gibson.
My friend Michelle showed me this poem, and it has inspired me for over a year now.
Although I still don't know exactly how I feel about gay marriage,
I do know that love it true.
I hope you enjoy Andrea's words.

Home

Recently I have been reminded of home. Now usually I consider myself sort of homeless. I claim Seattle as my home base, but honestly, I have rarely returned since my departure in 2004, and my connections in the area are limited. Late 2005 I moved to Elk Grove, CA. I was not excited about the move as I had spent the year previous trying to make friends and connections in Stockton CA. None the less, I moved and started my sophomore year of high school. Elk Grove was a nice community and I remember feeling safe and welcome there. Although many people were kind to me upon my arrival, nothing was more exciting and kind than when I was invited to ride in the Muncy astro van from seminary to school. Stephanie Muncy's astro van holds countless memories of talks, last minute homework assignments, and laughs shared between the few girls that rode in it every day. I made some of my best friends in that van.
Elk Grove quickly turned into my home as my doors started opening up to the wonderful youth in the community. Chelsea Tall and I drank bookoos and snuck into a hotel swimming pool. Muncy, Dubray, Corndog, and countless others danced all over town with me on the hilarious humps and indulations spread out through town. Jordan Tall talked to me on my sidewalk till four in the morning almost every night one summer, and Mehul ditched school dances with me to sit at Starbucks and talk. My 3 years in Elk Grove  were full of countless TP runs, late night hangouts, breakfasts, kisses, and memories exchanged between the numerous people that opened their arms and hearts to me.
Today, my desire to return to CA to visit or even live there is extremely small. Elk Grove has become a thing of the past for me. Most of the people I was closest to have left and rarely return home. But even though my love for Elk Grove is hanging on by a thread, Elk Grove and the people I met there hold a piece of my heart. I wouldn't trade anything for my memories in the astro van, or breakfast with Dubie, or making lots and lots of Mac N Cheese at Corndogs house.
 When it comes down to it, I have started to spread little pieces of me all over the world. My adventurous side is in Peru, my caring side is in Mexico, my desire for family is spread throughout Utah and France, My roots are in Seattle, my outgoing side is in Elk Grove, and my heart is with me, being shared with whoever I may meet.
Although I don't quite know if I consider Seattle, Elk Grove, or Utah home, one thing is for sure. Each place has helped create who I am and who I will become. To my future homes and friends, I look forward to meeting you.

Step On a Crack and You Will Break Your Mother's Back

Sometimes I purposefully don't
step on cracks
so that I don't
break my mother's back.

I remember as a young girl
walking to the bus stop,
and dancing across the sidewalk
as I jumped and leaped
over the cracks and imperfections
created by natural disasters
 that ripped lives apart.

I remember thinking it was funny.
My mom is dead, I would think.
Could I hurt her back in heaven?
What about my step mom?
Do I care if I break her back?

But really it was just a game.
A simple saying that all grade school kids
sang as we double douched
and hop skipped

Gracefully watching my step
was my way of showing my mother I loved her.
Today I was reminded of this
When I purposefully didn't step on any cracks.