A Day of Thanks

I woke up today with an array of feelings inside--happy, anxious, excited, nervous, sad, scared, longing, and contentment. And then, as I was reading a friend's blog entry, I was hit by a ton of bricks. I have SO MUCH to be grateful for! So that's what I'm writing about... things that I am grateful for today.

The list, which is no where near complete and in no particular order, goes as follows:

- A sister who is honest with me, sincere in her advice, and willing to listen.
- Sunshine
- Music
- A good night's sleep
- Banana pancakes
- A new apartment, with new roommates, and new adventures just waiting to happen
- BYU, and the opportunity I have to be a student here
- My Dad and his wonderful example of what a father should be
- A clean room... finally
- My brother who is coming down to BYU tomorrow!
- Inspired words
- Diet Dr. Pepper
- A mom who always answers the phone in a cheery voice
- Trials, and the strength that comes from them
- Patience
- My new longboard
- Friends
- The church, and the peace I find through it.

In light of the fact that my friend Kayla's words were so eloquent and perfectly phrased, I will simply quote from her blog. Enjoy!

When I feel like life should be simple, as if one day my textbook will make sense, as if one day I can love again and be loved, as if one day I could dry my family's tears, as if one day I didn't think about the cost, or as if one day I can make a difference in the world...when I feel like life could be that simple, I realize the Maker's Hand and I understand everything, everything is greater than my all... there is a power beyond my best, a power above all the rest.

So when I am weak, when I am down, when I am ready to kiss the ground the Lord steps in. I can only understand so much in this life. Whether or not I call it fate, misguided hope, unrelenting desire...it will work out in the end. If I follow the Maker's Hand.

King's Peak!

First of all, I wanted to thank everyone for their comments to my last blog. Last week totally sucked, and being reminded of the amazing friends and family I have been blessed with is a huge comfort. I love you guys.

On that note, I just wanted to report on the awesome weekend I had!! I got to GET OUT and be out in NATURE... which is my most favorite thing in the world. Three friends and I made the 4 hour drive to the High Uintas to begin a 26 mile backpacking trip to the top of King's Peak--the highest point in Utah. (The picture to the right is a picture of the peak, but with snow on it. I didn't get one of the peak from far away, so you can thank google for that image).

I will be the first to admit that this hike was incredibly hard, at least for me. There's something about hiking with a 40+ pound pack and being above 10,000 feet that makes hiking a little hard. I thought I was going to die on the final hour to the top of the summit, which reached an astounding 13,528 feet. My stubborn self was not going to let the fatigue get to me! I MADE IT!!!!

Allie, me, Andrew, and Josh about half-way up to the summit. Almost dying.

A view from the top! This was the type of view I was surrounded by for 3 days. Ah-may-zing.

Proof we made it

Anyway, that was my weekend. It was hard, I am sunburnt, I can't lift my left leg higher than two inches off the ground, and I have a huge pack covered in dust that I still need to unpack...but it was SO WORTH IT.

Bitter Lemonade

We've all heard the saying that when life hands us lemons, we should make lemonade. Well friends, I've been trying... but apparently my lemons are a little too sour.

It's been one thing after another, and I'm just trying to figure out why. But, unfortunately, we don't always know why, now do we?

This string of bad luck started on Monday morning when I got a call from the Partner at PwC telling me that my peer mentor from my internship was killed in a serious car accident this weekend. When he said Chris's name, I just thought, "no... please not him. Chris was my best friend in the group!" Chris Gneiding was such a great guy -- he had an infectious laugh and an ability to make anyone feel comfortable. We also had a great bond due to our love of the Grateful Dead and all other jam bands. Believe me, those kind of bonds don't come every day! I know Chris is in a better place, but deaths always make you think twice about things. I always think "what if that was my brother or sister? what if that was me??" They are scary thoughts, but truly, life is so precious. I am reminded to try and live each day to the fullest not take another day for granted.

Five minutes after I got the call about Chris, my friend David informed me that a dam broke and flooded Havasupai, our weekend camping destination. Are you serious?? Those kind of things happen like once a century... and of course it was the weekend WE had been planning to go for over 4 months! We are trying to throw together a plan B real quick... I NEED this trip.

Yesterday I got back into Provo (YAHOO!) and was going to help out my boss on campus with the busy Education Week BYU is hosting. I drove STRAIGHT to campus from the airport, and stayed at work till 11:30 pm. I went home to an empty house that had no air conditioning, thus causing my sleep to be minimal to none. My alarm woke me up at 5:30 this morning to put me back in the money room by 6 am! Welcome home, Camille!

This morning a fellow Dave Matthews Band fan informed me Leroi Moore (the saxophonist) died last night. What is going on?! Leroi added such a unique sound and energy to the band. I am sad. I have tickets for a DMB concert next Wednesday night... it's going to be a very meloncholy event, that is to say if it isn't called off all together.

Anyway, I apologize for the venting. I know (or hope) things will get better soon, as for now I'm just not really enjoying this bitter lemonade.

Au Revoir!

The time has come, my friends. I am embarking on another adventure as I leave the wonderful bay area and make the 12 hour drive back to Provo for my LAST SEMESTER at BYU. I am really excited to get back to P-town, mostly because I miss my friends and family and the many adventures we often get ourselves in. I am leaving bright and early in the morning... and sitting here talking about this kind of makes me want to skip sleeping tonight and jump ship early.

But alas! I will miss San Francisco! I have made some REALLY good friends here, learned a lot about myself, my family, and life in general. It wasn't easy... there were some hard times, but I'm so glad I did it. This has definitely been one of those summers I will never forget.

Goodbye San Fran--I will miss you!

My week

So this week seemed like one of those weeks that would NEVER end. Yes it went on and on my friends. (Lambchop anyone?? Ignore that if you are confused... just a brief reference to a mid-90's childhood TV show.) I seriously feel like last Sunday was months ago. It was a super busy week which means I have a couple fun/exciting/noteworthy/what-have-you things to share.

You know how roadies and super fans follow their favorite bands around the country? Well wouldn't it be cool if the band followed YOU!? That HAPPENED to me this week! I am a huge fan of my brother in-law's band, Good Morning Maxfield, who came to San Francisco to play a show at Berkeley on Tuesday night. And then you know how after a show you always want to hang out with the band? Well I got to do that too!!! They even came and slept at my house. I was living the superfan's dream.

Caitlin and I waiting for the guys to go up

Next, Friday was my LAST DAY IN THE OFFICE!! Seriously I am pumped. I am not officially done till the 8th, but I am one week closer! I have loved my job at PwC this summer, but honestly, I'm totally over the whole "being an intern" thing.

And then Friday I got to go CAMPING, which happens to be one of my most favorite things in the world to do. My ward had a big campout at Big Basin State Park. I had a blast. Nothing beats mountain roads, sitting by a campfire, trees, star-gazing, going for a spontaneous hike at midnight, and waking up to the sound of crickets and a friendly deer having his breakfast. Fantastic.

Oh dear! Ha ha...

Jaymie, Anna, and I in the morning. Sorry, the camping look is never pretty.

After coming home and taking a much-needed nap, I woke up to my most adorable triplet cousins. They are just 3 out of the 6 children my aunt has under the age of 7. They are quite a handful, but probably the cutest kids I've ever seen. I have loved being able to see them often this summer--they could keep me entertained for hours!
Anyway, that was my week. Hope everyone is doing well. Love to all!