So once upon a time I had only two goals this summer: buy a virgin Strawberry Daiquiri and read Atlas Shrugged. Let's just say that it was a weird summer (and that I only completed one of those two goals this summer but more on that later).
So just to sum up my weird (but fun) summer, here are some highlights:
- Cassie and I decided to surprise Kelly and drive to her ultimate Frisbee game. And we did not get lost on the way there (which is a modern day miracle because Cassie and I don't even know what freeways go where or even the numbers. Which, yes, is very sad). Anyways, we watched Kelly rock it at Frisbee (occasionally cheering the correct team...) And then we were so excited about everything (i.e. not getting lost, Kelly rocking it) that we got lost. Because apparently Santa Fe is a one way street sometimes. So that's cool. But don't worry about it. We totally called Cassie's dad and he got us out of there.
- Volunteering! So I decided I really wanted to volunteer and so I ended up volunteering at the Brandon Center for Domestic Violence Victims. This was one of the greatest experiences there! On Tuesdays, I would help GED students. Which was WAY scary because I've only been out of high school for a year. But some of these women stopped going to school back in the fourth grade! It was way humbling and it made me very thankful for the opportunity to go to school. On Wednesdays, I would do child care which often broke my heart. Here are these children who had watched their mothers (and sometimes they themselves) get abused by loved ones and they still had the greatest attitudes. It just helped me keep in mind that no matter what my circumstances are, they cannot change who I am inside. It was a great opportunity and I LOVED IT!
- My birthday!!! If you know me, you know that my birthday is my favorite! I LOVE MY BIRTHDAY!!! So this year, my birthday was the day before I left for Provo. But it was the greatest day ever! I woke up and had french toast, read some of my book and then we went boating (courtesy of Paulette Ballantyne!!) It was soo great. And no matter what my siblings tell you, it was NOT my fault EVERY time we fell off of the water tube. Totally. (Although to be honest, it was mostly me...) Anyways, after boating we went and got Subway because it's my fave. (which you should know if you're reading this.) When we got home, we had my favorite dinner (RANCH CHICKEN!!). Danny, Bishop Ballantyne, and Paulette also came over. It was the BEST last dinner ever! It was also a good way to say goodbye to Daniel Scott because let's face it, sometimes we really irritate each other and this time it didn't happen!
- I also got to see my friend Abby from seventh grade again! Which was WAY cool because she is like my twin!!! We went to an Indian food restaurant (yes, I know you're thinking, "wait this is Kelsey. She doesn't even eat cheese, let alone Indian food!") But alas, I DID eat Indian food and it wasn't even bad! So from now on I'll be more inclined to try new food from here on out. It was great catching up with her!
- Another great memory was the Fourth of July when Danny invited Mason and I to go hiking in a 'secluded' trail. Well let's just say we got there (it was in Ken Caryl) and hiked (or died in my case because I CANNOT hike. At all.) When we were coming down I was saying "I really can't marry anyone who likes hiking because I hate it." Then BOOM! There was a cop right on the trail. Yep, apparently we were hiking on private property of someone famous. So yeah, Danny and I about died.
- So I at my job this summer (the Colorado State Parks office) I read a crap load of books. Some books I read this summer: One Day, The Help, Firefly Lane, Rosie Dunne,What Happened to Goodbye? All of them were utterly fantastic. In fact, I went and saw the Help with my mom and Michal when I got to Provo and I loved it. I am also planning on seeing One Day (by myself, which by the way is sometimes the greatest thing you can do!) I LOVE READING!!
- Another eventful ocassion was the final Harry Potter. In the two weeks preceding the movie, I read all the books and watched all of the previous movies. So yeah, I was way prepared to see the movie. It was soo great! I cannot believe it's over! (And yes, I totally cried during the part with Snape. And yes, my dad did make fun of me because he's mean!)
- While in Colorado, I also got the opportunity to go to a Natasha Bedingfield concert with my sister Laurel. Her previous experience with concert was awful (we won't go into details because we do not speak of it at my house...) so I was excited to take her. It was absolutely wonderful. I adore Natasha and I love her music and the positive feeling you get when listening to it.
- I also finally crossed off one of my biggest fears: riding the Tower of Doom at Elitch's. While we were in line, it broke down twice, giving me ample opporunity to chicken out. I stuck to it though and was completely fine until we got to the top. I literally thought I was going to throw up because I'm that much of a baby. Also, if little kids can handle it, I should be able to.
- I wish my life were an 80's movie. When I first got home, I had an 80's movie marathon: Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Money Can't Buy Me Love, Some Kind of Wonderful, Pretty in Pink and Breakfast Club. Man I love those movies!
- Finding bigfoot. No, I did NOT find him but my dad and I LOVE to watch that show. Our favorite recurring line is "There's a squatch in the woods." It's so great. My favorite is the Sasquatch calls. I think I'm going to master that while I'm at BYU so my dad and I can go Sasquatch hunting (because they are prone to live in the remote mountains.
- I finally got my virgin Strawberry Daiquiri before we went and saw the Help. And it wasn't as great as I was expecting, but it's still the fact that I can cross that off my list that matters most.
- This last weekend I spent the weekend at Michal's house. Let me just begin by saying a. I did yard work b. I helped cook and c. I read my scriptures every night. Now those three things NEVER happen. Anyways, I absolutely LOVED her family because they are so calm and loving and spiritual and fun. On Saturday, (after I helped do yard work because I'm awesome like that!), we went tubing down Provon Canyon river. I totally only ran into a couple of trees/rocks and only went the wrong direction twice. (Yes, this is sad. I am so directionally challenged!!) Anyways, it was way fun until it started raining. It was not so fun to carry our tubes in our bare feet up a hill to wait for her mom to pick us up... I then got to visit her Grandparent's house, eat dinner and play Dominoes. Let' s just say Dominoes are not my strong suit. (But then again, what game is?) Anyways, it was awesome!
- Also, I moved into my apartment with Sam! Pictures will follow hopefully soon because our apartment is Adorable (yes, with a capital A because it's THAT cute). Anyways, I am excited to be living in Liberty, and excited for the new cute guys. And the fact that Michal and I are yet again in the same stake!! Yahoo!
So anyways, I had a crazy summer and now I'm going to be back working and going to school full time (aka 20 hours of work+ 17 credit hours+church callings= an antisocial Kelsey.) But on the plus note, I have officially read my scriptures 5 days in a row (which is like seriously a record). And I've also decided to read the Book of Mormon before school gets out in April. So as C.S. Lewis once said,“There are better things ahead than any we leave behind.”And while I will miss my family (and beautiful Colorado) terribly, I am not afraid to '"face the future with faith." So yep, this is a good life (cue the song...)
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