what a weekend.

Last weekend started out with beautiful blue skies and puffy white clouds.

Not bad for the beginning of October, huh?

Friday, I rushed as fast as my little brain could to finish my midterms and get to Salt Lake.

[come on, church University... midterms during General Conference?]

Grandma and Grandpa, along with my aunt and uncle's family, were in town.

So, naturally, I had a sleepover with my two cousins Saturday night...

and spent all day Sunday with my grandparents.

The company and conversation couldn't have been a more welcome reprieve from my crazy week.

Even if they're short, much-needed breaks seem to come right when you need them.

We spent the day watching conference, walking around temple square, 

and visiting the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. 

Grandma told me about staying in the building when she was a flight attendant-

at that time it was still known as hotel Utah.

We looked at the beautiful architecture and the little blurbs about the building's history.

We found out that my dad gets his love for history from my grandpa.

They both stop to read every sign.

It made me feel right at home, being with my family last weekend,

even though I'm still far from it. 

I think grandparents are one of those really special gifts He gives us.

They aren't parents, but they love you almost as much.

And you just can't help but love them back even more.

Here's to adventure

and learning

and miniature retreats from college life.

cleaning out the closet.

So Jess and I have a track record.
We have collectively....
lived through 43 Valentine's Days.
been bridesmaids in 7 weddings.
were elected to homecoming court 6 times.
were named princess twice and queen twice.
and attended 20 different formal dances.
...at five different schools.

that made for a lot of roses.

 and hey, girls like roses. 

And who wants to throw roses in the trash when you're 16? 

That's right, nobody. 

So they have stayed...

 in drawers...

 and boxes...

 in vases...

 and baskets.

 in water basins

 and adorning

 every.

 single.

 wall.

And in this big move that's happening right now, we thought it might be time to say goodbye.

Because, well, it's over. And also... 

how do you successfully transport huge bags of dry roses without making a complete and utter mess?

You don't.

So, [being the slight pyro that it is in my blood to be] 

I decided it was time to have a little bonfire. 

Plus, it's more dramatic. And thus, more fun.

Thanks for the good times, high school.

Things I like:

I have two musically inclined roommates, who play so I can hear.
Birkenstocks.
Heels.
Hiking.
Flowers. Today my favorite is Matthiola (stock).
My floral design class.
My bike. and riding my bike. and getting to class in five minutes on my bike.
Photography.
Boys. weird, right?
Friends.
Sunshine.
Letters.
Country music.
Pandora, right now I'm diggin the Priscilla Ahn playlist.
Facebook, but not facebook chat.
Intramural kickball (yeahhhh team Jimminy Kick It!), but not turf.... sliding to third is no fun on turf.
My new shoes (blogged about yesterday). I quite possibly may have blown my hair dry in them.
Short hair.
Tall boys.
Stars, especially the Coarsegold kind.

why flowers and learning are great.

One time there was a man at the grocery store and the first time I saw him....

He was very blatantly telling his girlfriend she was wrong.

Then a minute or two later I could hear that same man explaining...

Why he does not buy her flowers. "I'm just not that kind of guy"

 

Dear future husband, be that kind of guy.

The sweet kind.

The kind that gives me flowers... even just wildflowers.

The kind who gives me kisses.

The kind that builds me up.

The good kind.

But regardless,

I spent some time with my sister this weekend.

[[mostly my entire Sunday]]

and I love being over there.

I love her.

She's great.

Any of you that follow her already know.

But we talked about things that matter.

And things that don't.

And moderation.

And love.

And loving yourself.

And husbands.

And I left feeling more balanced... and stable about my life than when I came.

I still have so much to learn in this short little lifetime.

But I'm loving to learn everyday .

I feel like new worlds are constantly being opened to me. 

I hope it never stops.