Monday, May 7, 2012

I'm home.  Back to the place where my roommates don't play Celtic Women in the morning, followed by death metal.  That place where 2 a.m. is a time to sleep, not bake brownies and invite friends over.

I woke up at one o'clock. PM.  A full twelve hours of sleep.  This may have been because my Dad listened to 1776 the entire drive home, slipping me into a time delayed coma that hit at midnight. Or maybe I finally maxed out on my sleep debt and the collectors came.  With high interest rates and bats and tylenol pm.

I drove out of Cedar City yesterday around six.  I could think of all the reasons why I should be sad.  I could think of all the reasons why I should be excited.  But really, I didn't feel much of anything.  I'd said my goodbyes, breathed in the campus as I walked to my last classes, mentally memorized the neighborhood as I ran late at night to give myself a break from studying.  I even teared up a little bit as I wrote about some people who I made good friendships with, who I won't see anymore.  I won't miss them in the aching everyday feeling that lingers.  I'll miss them when I see them again, and think about all the new memories I haven't been a part of.

But as I closed the trunk for the final time and looked around, I knew it was time to move on.  I'm ready.  It's very matter of fact really.  My two years are over, it's time for summer, and then for transferring.  Maybe it'll hit me later, maybe it already did.  Either way, there are no tears.  Just a soft thoughtful feeling of what I could cry about,.  It's nice to know there are things I could cry about, that I experienced some really good times.  I feel prepared.  I learned not to fear the ladies in the front office - something that's terrified me for as long as I can remember.  I asked a question during my biology final, actually raised my hand for clarification, something I've never done before because I didn't want the surrounding attention.  It's a ridiculous notion, that people around me would notice I had a question and think ... well who know what I was afraid of them thinking, but I was.  My worst fear came true, I planned a program for residents and no one came.  And I was fine.  This year I re-learned (finally) how to really study.  Too many easy general ed classes can ruin even the best of habits learned from Mr. Felt.  But now I remember.  I remember and I'm ready to do it again, for many many classes.

I've said a lot of thank you's over the past few weeks.  Thank you's, and I'll miss you's, and recognized a lot of important relationships.  There's a lot more to dwell on, plenty more I learned.  But right now, it's summer.  I'm home and I have to mow the lawn before my dad gets back from the market.  I just have one more thing to say.

Goodbye SUU.

Sunday, May 6, 2012

Generic Name Boy

Dubbed so by none other than our very own Ry Guy.

My mom thinks I have a thing for fall flings.  Possible.  Two out of my last two relationships happened and ended fall semester.   Dalton and David.  Same initials and everything.  I swear that's a coincidence.

I met David because I had a massive crush on his roommate as a freshman.  Honestly, I should probably include that squeeb in the category of "people who influenced me in Cedar City."  But I can't just yet.  I don't quite have the words to cover that fiasco.  It didn't work out, that's the main point.  But David did, for awhile.

Despite being hopeless over his roommate, I remember meeting David and thinking he was a cute, fun guy.  We talked a few times but summer came and we both went home - opposite directions.  Then I ran into him at the bookstore during the first week of school and stopped to say hello.  I walked away from that conversation disappointed; he didn't seem very responsive and I figured he just saw me as that pathetic girl chasing after his roomie.

But then he got my number (probably from same said roommate) and called me.  And he planned, hands down, the best dates I've ever been on.  We went roller skating at this funky old roller rink on the outskirts of town for the first date.  The next time, he took me to the DI.  Stop right there.  Marriage?  Absolutely.  Done and done.  He took me to the DI, we picked out something for the other one to wear, and went to dinner.  RIGHT up my alley.  He picked out this shirt for me, and I tried to pretend it really was hideous, while in the back of my mind laughing because it was something I would have worn normally.  I picked out a bib for him.  And was so impressed because he wore it like it was the latest fashion, no shame.

We had a picnic on his roof, played people bingo at Wal-Mart, and he taught me how to cook authentic southern style fried chicken.  I loved every minute.  Six dates to hold my hand.  Nine until he kissed me.  Yeah I counted.   For the first time, I could picture myself really falling in love, and even marrying someone.  He was grown up.  A senior, applying for grad schools, sharing an actual house, growing vegetables and splitting wood in the backyard.  Plus he sweet talked me with biology talk.  That may have clinched it.

He had impeccable timing.  When I had to move out of my residence hall, he came over to help me pack, and after days of worrying about everyone else, I finally had someone to worry about me, and listen to my  fears.  At the end of the semester I was moving yet again, dragging suitcases down the long cement walk dimly lit by the broken street lamps.  I felt worn out and on autopilot.  He showed up just as I was reaching the stairs.  I looked up and he was standing there, backlit, so it took me a minute to register who it really was.  If it had been a movie there probably would have been a hallelujah chorus in the background.

I would have seriously considered marrying him and moving to where ever he went to grad school.  But I didn't love him.  I wanted to.  So much.  I could see everything working perfectly.  He was so solid, steady, and kind.  But I didn't love him.  After almost four months, I didn't feel any different than I did after our first couple dates.  I wanted it to work, but I knew it wouldn't, and I knew I was wasting his time.  So after the break, it was over.  We never really discussed it, somehow he just knew, and that was it.  Didn't see him again for a few months.  I took his blood glucose levels for my research project.  Sufficiently awkward.

So it didn't work permanently.  But it was a step in the right direction I think.  He wrote a song for me; I touched (and cooked) raw chicken for him.  These are not equal actions of devotion obviously.  But hey, he tried his best with that song.

But it was worth it.  I finally had a first kiss when my hair was clean.*  I finally dated someone older than me.  I finally pictured a future, albeit only for a few months.  Good luck David.  You were wonderful, ideal even.  I hope you find someone equally as wonderful.**  Thank you.



*This was a big deal.  Both of the last guys got dirty hair first kisses.  I was determined to break my streak and I ducked out twice until I looked dang good.

**As long as she's not prettier than me.***

***Joke.

Friday, May 4, 2012

Diplomatic and Adventurous

Have I ever mentioned that here at SUH* they take their Resident Assistants very seriously?  Actually I know I have.  They do not kid around.  While some of my other friends went to their schools a day or two early for training, I left weeks early.  August 2nd, a good twenty days before my first residents would arrive.  I arrived and looked around at a room full of people, with no idea what to expect.  From earlier classes I thought I liked most of them, but really I was clueless.

The Resident Assistants are an exuberant bunch.  Very very exuberant.  A roomful of them is more like a roomful of fifty energetic puppies.  They have that kind of awkward air that says "I know I'm being being loud and laughing ridiculously at dumb jokes, but I take pride in this. "  Think Jr. High students at their first dance, secretly feeling awkward, but acting real big to hide it.  Bless their hearts.  I really do enjoy them, just in small doses.  Baby aspirin doses.

Not all RA's are energetic puppies, some are normal people.  After all, I was one right? (ahem)  Madi was in charge of the hall two above me, the lovely C300.  Every month had massive programming requirements, so typically everyone teamed up with each other to plan.  And we couldn't just plan a program, we also had to creatively advertise.  No one would really punish you for just doing a poster, but the disdain in the eyes was apparent.  Thankfully, Madi has the ability for the most creative advertising I've seen.  We did an MBTI program and how the heck do you advertise for that?  With massive paper brains of course.  Massive brains hung all over the hall and connected with string until it looked like a ropes course.  Duh.

So in my search for friend-able people, I found Madi.  She never ceases to surprise me.  One minute she's all soft spoken, eloquent and insightful, "You're a monkey Michael?  And what kind of monkey are you? And what do monkeys eat?"  And then she'll let loose with, "And what sound does a monkey make?   This: OoOOooooOooOOOOOOO- AAHHA - AH AH" a perfect imitation, loud enough to call George of the Jungle's monkeys all the way back from 1997 and send them storming to her house, ready to do her bidding.

One time I had the opportunity to go on a snowshoe-ing trip for a few days.  Did I have any idea how to snow-shoe?  Nope.  We were also supposed to sleep in a yurt.  Had I ever even heard of a yurt?  Hell no. Did I desperately want to go anyway?  Oh yeah.  But tentative as I am, I needed SOMEone to come with me.  Luckily Madi was good with only twenty four hour notice for a spontaneous trip up the mountains.  She took me to her house, outfitted me with snow boots, snow pants, a flashlight, a sleeping bag, basically  making it possible for me to go.  To the yurt we went.

It's like she has no inhibitions but at the same time is completely aware of others and diplomatic.  She can go from a sincere, "Sierra you look beautiful" to the best the BEST zombie dance walk I've ever seen.  Never mind it startled the boy next to her so much that he almost needed a change of pants, and caused the rest of his group to stare in astonishment and then laugh in delight.

She has a story for everything.  "Did I ever tell you about the time a boy turned me down after the second date because I wouldn't convert to his religion?"  "Did I ever tell you about the time I tackled a snowman to avoid a kiss?" They never get old.

And she's responsible for this fantastic quote, "Star Wars 1 through 3 are liked the desperate housewives of the galaxy."

Amen.

Madi.  I will miss you.  One of these summers we really will make it to visit Idalina (one of the people we met on our yurt adventure actually) and go to Floyd Fest.

Also.  You have awesome hair.

(I might miss you the most)


*Not it's real name.  Just how I pronounce it.

Thursday, May 3, 2012

My Muffin Top is All That



Oh Ry Guy.

What is the story of Ryan?  Well I'm not exactly sure.  In the same stake pretty much our whole lives.  Went to the same Jr. High (I thought his name was Brian for months) and High School.  And then the same college.  Ryan you creep.  Get your own life.

Joke.

We were always in the same friend group but it wasn't until the last few years that I actually got to know him.  He looks hella intimidating. 

The turning point might have been when a bunch of us planned to cook a Sunday dinner, now that we were far away from our doting, meal providing parents.  Ry guy was pretty much the only other one to contribute a meal plan, cooking skill, and the thought to help clean up.  I thought, "wow Ryan is like a complete person that can function on his own.  Self-sufficiency.  Weird."  This was the dinner when I called my parents and apologized for every single time I turned up my nose at a meal or left without at least putting away my dishes.  Karma has a sick sense of humor.  Um.. sorry again parentals.

So we ate real food together.  And a lot of junk food.  We share this disease - ihateeveryoneitis - and the only treatment was withdrawing from the world inhabited by complete idiots and watching 30 Rock while ingesting large amounts of junk.  Basically we were real big snots.  But everyone else really was stupid so it was ok.  We took many trips to the DI because few other people seemed to appreciate the beauty of already worn clothes.  And then we laughed at the people who actually wore new clothes with name brands.  Weirdos. 

We took many* a trip to St. George to sell plasma and sometimes just to get the heck out.  I followed him to the gym (where he works out obsessively) where he taught me the importance of using the shoulder machine.

"But Ryan I don't want to."
"Do it Gish.  It'll make you look like Michelle Obama."

Let's see.. there's the gym, the food, the clothes, the plasma.  AH.  I also need to somehow incorporate the volunteering with children, the music, and the writing.  Oh look.  I just did.  My apologies, it's just that that the little part of me, you know, the one the dictates my ability to coherently write descriptions and transitions that aren't crap took my last two finals and then curled up on the couch where I've been sleeping and died.

Sooo anyway.  Ryan is a real good writer.  And he tries to make his school work real good and not just slide by.  Once he made me go to the park with him in the middle of the night so I could take pictures of him all dead like with syrup (blood) on his face.  It was negative two degrees and he still took off his shirt for the integrity of the photo.  Dedicated, this boy is.  And he took these real cool pictures:




Ryan kind of does everything.  I think that's the draw.  He's interested in life, in everything, in learning, trying new things, going on adventures.  It's the best.  (This may be why he's changed his major what... four times?)

My ability to write in full sentences is continuing to slip.  Ry Guy.  You are fantastic.  I hope you escape this tiny town one day.  If not, I'll probably come visit you as an old man and remind you what a "downtown" looks like.  One with more than one street. 




*Many?  Did say many?  Mom I mean one.  Really..


Saturday, April 28, 2012

To Popcorn Thursday

Bailey.

Bay Girl

Big Girl

Big Earl

Bagel

We have a disgusting lack of pictures together.

You made not just my first year, or my second year, but both years so much better.  On the days I felt homesick, there was nothing quite like seeing your face.  As much as I love the new friends I've made, something special exists in a friend who's known you for longer than a semester or two.  We go back to 10th grade and I loved feeling like someone knew me.  Not just the me I'd introduced to people at college but the me with some history.  While I was still meeting people and doing the awkward chit chat (my other seventh level of hell) we were having real conversations, talking about thoughts and ideas and a variety of topics. 

I like you because we share the same opinions about things overly "cutesy."  While some things may leave certain people gooey with dreaming and longing, you appreciate my eye roll and mimic of vomiting.  Childish?  Yes.  Get over it.
I like you because you like yourself and don't need the attention of other for validation
I like you because together we laugh at incredibly tacky Christmas decorations together.  I meant to post about that one.  The pictures don't quite do the horror justice, but it was a very fun night.
I like you for all the abbrevs you've into-ed to my life.  Sers.  Abbrevs are just totes the best.  You are totes adorbs.

I learned from you to find my passion and throw myself into it.  I so admire how many things you've been involved in.  From the newspaper, to several leadership positions, to giving tours, and talking to prospective students, you've about done it all.  It makes me want to try new things.  In a word, you are BOLD.  I admire your confidence in getting up in front of a crowd, and the way you conduct yourself. 

I learned from you the value of poise.  Yes you joke and goof off, but without a bit of show-offy-ness. (I'm sure there's an actual word to substitute in there.  But I don't have my dictionary currently with me.)  Sometimes I expect a little more glory than I should from my actions, but you inspire me to be a bit more humble and accomplish tasks for the sake of getting them accomplished.

I learned that I have to work to keep relationships that I value.  Since we never saw each other on campus, we deemed Thursday "Popcorn Thursday," from our mutual love of air-popped corn and desire to catch up.  With some slight struggles, we kept it up for four semesters.

And now after pounds of popcorn and a plethora of Modern Family episodes, here we are nearing our last popcorn Thursday.

We're going to have to find a new substitute.  Perhaps Skype Saturdays?  Phone call phwednesdays? 

I think of you as kind of a classic.  Steady, not sailing around in need of pleasing the newest trends and fads. Thank you, for that influence.

Let's stay friends.  I need your good taste in my life. 

Friday, April 27, 2012

Goodbyes: Ally Edition




Crap I'm going to cry.

Ally.

Where do I even start?

We met last year in a crappy little residence hall. This one, in fact. The asbestos? The 1950's carpet? Yea boy.

Honestly, we didn't click right away. She was wrapped up in her long distance boyfriend and the scariest looking roommate I've ever met.* I was too wrapped in looking for the label of cool that wore a certain type of band and thrifted clothes. Once and awhile though we'd start talking, and I think that was the redeeming quality: we had awesome conversations. Without the need to impress anyone I could express my real opinions and we found out we had a LOT in common. Both were raised by health freaks** and had similar experiences with boys and beautiful best friends. In the back of my mind I think I recognized this was a valuable connection to keep.

And then this year it clicked.***  In your words, "Why are we friends?  Basically because we're the funniest people we know."  Yup.  That's it.  We're hysterical.

This has taken a long time to write.  I don't know how to keep track of all the memories.

One time we drove home and got caught in fog so thick we couldn't see the lines on the road.  So we gave up and strolled down the highway at a solid 20mph.  Rolled down the windows (mid january mind you) and turned up the hot air and the music.  Ate cornbread and nearly froze our hands by sticking them out the window.  That pretty much describes it.  

Al.  Who is going to go running with me in the morning even when it's raining?  Who is going to show me the best types of organic food?  Who is going to quote Megamind and Gilmore Girls with me?   Who will NOT go running with me and instead bake a cake with two pounds of sugar in the frosting?  Who else will study biology obsessively with me and crazy dance at those lame institute socials?

I like your house because it's actually a house.  A home.  Not quite my pair of clean socks, but a dryer for the old ones at least.  I can come over and see a real pantry stocked with actual cooking ingredients.  We make real meals and I can play the piano and talk to your sister and aunt.

 Ok I'm stopping here.  There's too much to explain and I just can't quite get it right.  But I'm coming to visit you in Colorado.  And in the fall you better get your butt over to my apartment and visit too.

(I might miss you the most)



*This chick cleaned her nails with knives. True story. She also wore those collars with spikes on them and had random shotgun shells hidden in the room. Which is a feat for a 6 by 12 room.

**Sugar cereals were a dessert and only purchased once a year on my birthday. Honeynut Cheerios were to be mixed with regular Cheerios. I kid you not.

***How much does this sound like a weirdo romance I should be telling to my children about my hubsand? Too much.

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Randoms

A few quick thoughts between my goodbyes.

- "Hmmmm five pairs of clean underwear left.  10.. 11.. 12.. days till till I go home.  Zero quarters for laundry."

- "How do you cite scriptures?  Are they a book?  Cite: author's first name and last name.  Ummm God?  and... God."

-"Wow I like this outfit.  It only took me until six thirty p.m. to get it right.  Let's see.  I wore it Monday night.  So my Tuesday classes haven't seen it yet.  But that's too close.  Wednesday classes didn't see it.  Ok so I'll wear it again on Wednesday.  And then the next week on Thursday.  Perfect."

-"Yeah it's Gish.  Hard G.  Not jish.  Would it kill you to find that out before you announce it to everyone?"

-"Who am I to write about the uncomfortable psychological repercussions of getting kickballs aimed at my head in elementary school when there are stories of abuse, addiction, cancer, and lost family members?  Who am I to deem my experiences important - experiences covered in teasing self deprecation to hide the pride that really is the purpose of sharing this?  Who am I too see my quiet awkwardness as worthy of any note?  No one. That's who."

-"Shoot.  I owe Ryan bananas."

-"Email those people about a job application follow up."

-"Cancel my netflix!"

-"I want calves like that.  Rising gracefully above the delicate strength of my sharp ankles and defined feet.  I want calves like that. Marbled skin supple and so taught that if split, it would curl and peel back like flower petals, revealing compact powerful muscle that flexes with every movement.  I want calves like that.  Capable and beautiful."

-"When I part my hair in the middle it looks an awful lot like this:




-"Does Wal-Mart sell bridal shower worthy lingerie?  Oh, and bring hummus."