At last

Multiple phone calls a day,

More dedication to our relationship,

Enduring through thick and thin,

Trying to find good in the distance,

Reinforcing feelings...

While trying to avoid other feelings,

Confidence in a decision,

Feeling anxious and excited about change

Communication, communication, communication,

It's key!

Long distance is not really awesome,

So, I'm glad it's almost over.

Almost.

A sign of a good guy:

Flowers to brighten my day.

And a week later they're still looking good!

The long awaited weekend finally came,

I can't believe we made it an entire month,

I never want to do that again.

Thankfully, after a weekend together, we only have to endure 3 more days apart.

And then...

We'll be married!

Wow.

Weird, yet exciting.

Yay for getting to hang out with him all weekend!

A walk down memory lane

Sometimes I don't want to walk down memory lane, but with a small bribe, I'll nearly do anything, and last night proved my point. But I'll have you know, I didn't want to do it. You see, I'm living at home, yes, with my parents where I pay rent in love. So, naturally, I need money. And for all of you oh-so-avid blog readers, you've seen a glimpse into my life these last few years. So, this isn't for you so much, as it is for me.

What have I been doing with my life the past two years? Actually let's make it the last six years, since the ending of my high school days, back in 04'. Well, I went to BYU-Idaho, BYU-Hawaii, and graduated from BYU. In the interim I worked at fat camp. Yes, a legit fat camp, and I happened to have loved it (at least the reflecting on it part). I moved to Washington, DC in May 2008, and spent the last (almost) two years working for the United States Agency for International Development. And just for the heck of it, I'm just going to throw in there that I traveled to Africa for work, twice. And no, I never attended my five year high school reunion.

I'm not trying to brag or anything, but my life has been pretty great since those high school days, six years ago. But I'll have you know, last night sure made me feel like I've accomplished absolutely nothing. I may claim to be jobless, but that's not entirely true. I've been going catering on occasion, since I've been home, with the restaurant I used to work at in high school. I am beyond grateful to the Morley's for letting me come back and work for them for a few weeks. They're kind of like an extended family. Anytime I'm looking to make a few extra dollars, they're always more than happy to let me come back to work. So, I'm grateful, I really am. However, last night, I can't say grateful was my attitude.

You see, when I found out I was going to go catering at Hillcrest (my old high school), for the class of 2005 (the year younger than me), for their high school reunion (remember I said I didn't go to mine...to me, five years is just a little TOO soon to be going back to rekindle old friendships), I kind of cringed inside. For good reason too. It was beyond awkward to be serving people who would look at me and say, "Hey, I remember you. Didn't we have (fill in the blank) class together?" Or, "Hey, I didn't know you're STILL working here." Or there were the occasional, "Wow, I haven't seen you forever, how have you been?" questions. But I know deep down they were thinking, wow, you've sure done a lot with your life, I bet you're still living with your parents, too. I kept having to vouch for myself, and throw out there, "I'M GETTING MARRIED IN THREE WEEKS." And "No, I haven't been living with my parents for the last SIX YEARS, I've only been in Utah for a few weeks, and just needing to make a few extra dollars!!!" Or, "Oh, I've just been living in Washington, DC, working for THE GOVERNMENT" Thinking to myself, I promise I have/had a life.

Never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine I'd feel like I had to impress people from high school all over again. This time, I wasn't trying to impress the seniors, I was trying to impress the people younger than me. Make them think I'm cool. That I have a life. That I've moved on from Utah, and made something of myself. That I'm about to get married to a really cool guy, and we're about to have a really cool life. And good for them for already being married, and having kids, because I'm going to be doing that, too. But I had fun in the meantime. So there!

Yeah, it was an awkward night for me. But thanks to working at Joe's, I think they thought I was pretty cool. I mean, I'm pretty good at putting a dollop of hot fudge on the mud pie, and dumping more potato salad into the chafing dish. It takes some serious skill.

So, like I said, sometimes I really don't want to walk down memory lane again, especially at a high school reunion that's not even for my class. But, for a small price, sometimes I just have to swallow my pride and bite the bullet. So I swallowed and bit it, bit it hard.

Fathers

Not only did I get to spend Mother's Day at home with my lovely Mother, but today I get to spend Father's Day with my amazing Father, whom I love DEARLY. Pretty sure I have the best parents in the whole wide world. And yes, I'm aware that that may sound cliche, but cliche or not, it's the absolute truth.

Does your dad travel all over the world to visit you? (so I haven't lived all over the world yet, but knowing that he visits my brother in Sweden, it proves my point...plus, his future visit's to Oklahoma City might be considered international, it's a whole new world over there)

Does your dad run 5K's, 10K's, and half marathon's with you?

Does your dad wash your car every Saturday morning AND fill it up with gas?

Does your dad surprise you by flying all the way to NYC to hang out with you and your sibling, and then take just YOU to a broadway play of YOUR choice?

Does your dad light up when all of his children are home?

Ok, he probably does that, because what good father doesn't love having his children around?

So, even if your dad doesn't do these things that mine so graciously does, I'm sure he's still a pretty great guy. But my dad, he's more than great, he's amazing, and I love him.

Happy Father's Day, Dad, I LOVE you!!!

Weekends

I'll be spending next weekend here:

But right now, I wish I was spending my weekend here:

Yay for Fridays, and getting to see my fiance in ONE week...I've almost made it, phew!

Rejuvenation

Spending a night with friends (some I haven't seen since I was in high school),

Was like medicine to my soul.

And now, my soul has been rejuvenated.

I never knew I could be so excited to receive "kitchen goods,"

But last night proved it could happen...

My smiles are legit, not just posed ones for the camera, promise!

Futball

The World Cup starts today, and while I'm not as into soccer as some people, the fact that I used to play when I was younger, I played on an intramural team in college (and boy were we horrible but it was sure fun!), AND the fact that the World Cup is being held in South Africa, makes me feel like I should be somewhat committed to watching this year. Exactly a year ago today I was in South Africa and saw first hand a few of the big stadiums where the games will be played. How I miss Africa. The people. The culture. The smiles.

South Africa:

They've been anticipating this day for awhile now...

And, just because this commercial is awesome and I have a Nike fetish...

30 Days

For the next 30 days I get to hang out with this little one and his chubby little cheeks:

In 29 days I finally get to see him again:

And in 30 days from today, I'll be marrying this one:

July 10, 2010 coming right up!

Back In Time

I stepped foot on the track, and from first sight, everything appeared just the way I had left it six years ago. The track felt good under my feet. It felt natural and like I belonged. Running up and down the stadium steps brought back memories from years past. During my laps around the track I found myself instinctually flying over the imagined hurdles placed in my path. My form was slightly off, but nothing a few more attempts couldn't perfect. I saw myself stretching on the grass, in the exact spot I always sat, after a long and tiring practice. And then I saw myself giving up, quitting, putting track in my past, and forgetting that I could have been good. Instead, I decided to turn my back and walk away. I had the speed, the form could have always been improved, but the speed was there, and that's what mattered. That's what won races. But I gave up. I decided it wasn't for me. And I decided to move on to other things, like wishing I was no longer in high school, and longing for the college life.

As I ran around the track, ran up and down the stadium steps, and imagined myself back in high school, my mind couldn't help but think of the way my life used to be. Of who I used to be. And where I've come in life. Six years ago I never would have imagined I'd graduate from BYU. Six years ago I never would have imagined I'd have spent a summer working at fat camp in California, lived in Hawaii for a summer, or made some of the best friends a girl could ever ask for. Six years ago I never would have imagined I'd go work for the government in Washington, DC, and then travel to Africa for work. Six years ago I never would have imagined my sister and I would become roommates for two years, after not having lived together for nearly eight years. And six years ago I never would have imagined I'd quit my job, go live in Oklahoma for a month, and then move in with my parents, jobless but engaged. Six years ago I never would have imagined my life would have taken the course it has. But six years ago I wasn't who I am today, and I'm glad it's taken me six years to semi-figure out a few things in life, like how to work hard, how to go after my dreams, and how to believe in the impossible. And most recently, I've learned how badly it sucks to not be working and making money. (I hate feeling like I'm on a budget!) I'm definitely missing my monthly income, but I know that good things are ahead of me, and patience is a virtue. That's one thing, that six years later I'm still trying to figure out. Patience has never been my strong point in life. Maybe in six more years I'll be closer to incorporating it into who I am.

Life after high school is great, and although I enjoy going back to my old stomping grounds and utilizing the track and stadium steps, I'm glad I never have to relive those days again. Somethings are meant to stay strictly in the past, and for me, high school is one of those things.

Other things however, are ok to reemerge. So, because I'm going back in time in this post, I'm including this picture, from two years ago. (don't be mad sister)

It just makes me laugh!

Another goodbye

I may have been in a long distance relationship for the last six months,

But I was spoiled in my long distance relationship,

Because I still saw him every two weeks.

And now, after spending a little over a month together,

It's back to long distance again.

This time, I won't see him for an entire month.

Aw, poor Amy, I know, it's a rough life.

But hey, I'm feeling sorry for myself,

Because life's just not as fun when he's not around.

To-do Lists

What happened to the days of

Scrunchies and jelly shoes?

Recess and nap time?

Smurfs and My Little Pony?

Four square and double dutch?

What happened to the days of being a kid, where I never had a to-do list?

Now it's,

Working (or the lack thereof) to pay the bills,

And acting responsible towards life's responsibilities.

All things that aren't necessarily bad things,

Just different things than in my younger years.

And I have a feeling I'm just beginning to know what true responsibility really entails.

Despite the reality that some things in our adult life aren't always fun,

And being a kid generally was always fun,

Yesterday, I think John and I figured out the best of both worlds.

Mixing a little bit of responsibility with a little bit of play.

Our agenda/"to-do" list, consisted of the following:

Mattress shopping (oh boy)

Dropping John's car off to remove the HUGE screw that was stuck in his tire,

Sam's Club membership (sadly, they don't have Costco here, and there IS a difference),

Bought John a new suit for the wedding,

AND new shoes,

And I may be biased, but he looks REALLY good in it!

Massages by people who don't speak english (Ah-mazing),

Getting kicked out of tennis courts,

Then driving aimlessly for over an hour trying to find legit courts to play on

Before we could FINALLY play a few games of tennis,

Picked up John's car,

And then, if all of that wasn't enough, we ended the day by buying a new house...

Well, almost...

At least we FINALLY got a house under contract.

And when I say it's new, I only mean it's new to us,

Because it was built in 1925,

But it's a rather adorable old, vintage, renovated little house.

And I can't wait!

(praying everything moves along smoothly now)

I may not have recess or playing double dutch in the middle of my day to look forward to anymore,

But I guess "to-do" lists can always have a little bit of fun incorporated into them.

From Fittest to Fattest

Anyone who knows me knows I'm a fitness fanatic...at least I was until I moved to Oklahoma City. Not having a gym membership, and semi-giving up running, doesn't make working out easy. However, it does give ease to going insane. Yes, it's true, I have an addiction to working out. And when I can't do it, I just feel... well, blah is the only word that comes to mind. So blah it is, and I simply don't like it. In my defense, I've had to force myself into a hiatus from working out, doctor's orders of course (clearly not mine, since I am getting married in 46 days), until the mono subsided. I still think it's lingering, but I'm making my way back into the workout regime nevertheless. And how could I not, after talking to an old friend/co-worker, about this article, that states that I just moved from the fittest city, Washington, DC, to the fattest city, Oklahoma City, in the US. If that's not motivation enough to get my lazy butt out of bed, and strap on my running shoes to get in a good work out, than I don't know what is? So, tonight I made John come on a run with me through the city. We ran to the capitol and back...I wanted to feel like I was back in DC for a brief second, where the fit kids live, and it worked. However, only seeing two, yes TWO, people out running on our 50 minute run, made me feel far from being back in DC. So, I guess I might as well face up to reality, I live with the fat kids, but I'm not about to get fat. I guess that's what happens when you live in a city that forgot to lay down sidewalks, doesn't have a river to run along, and running along a freeway overpass just isn't quite as scenic.

Maybe I'll have to start up my fat camp sooner than I expected, and that wouldn't be such a bad thing...

No Place Like Home

No matter where I live in the world, and no matter how much I love where I'm living, there's always something nice about being "home", in a place that's so familiar, and so comforting. I don't ever see myself ending up back in Utah, but despite that fact, I love to be home, sleeping in my own bed, having home cooked meals (not made by me), and getting to spend time with my parents.

Favorite things about last weekend:

FINALLY finding a wedding dress
Figuring out most of the wedding plans...and the wedding is still 2 months away,
Wedding planning is a breeze (heavy sarcasm included)
Sleeping in until 11 almost every day (having mono allows for laziness)
Spending Mother's Day with my Mom
Hanging out with good friends
Spending every afternoon with my Dad...it was nice not having him really work last week
Eating Dunford chocolate cake donuts...my favorite
Working at Joe Morley's for a night...why not make a few extra bucks on vacation?
Spending Mother daughter night at Tai Pan...love that store!

Oh, there really is no place like home...I'll be back in a few weeks!

R.I.P. Okie and Acron

I just received the most tragic text message from my roommate:

"Can I ask you a questions? How attached were you to those frogs?"
And I instantly knew they were gone. Between the three of us, in our house, there exists, two dogs, a cat, and the recently departed Okie and Acorn. I'd be lying if I said it was no big deal. Heck, they're just frogs, right? And let's be honest, it took me an entire week of being in Oklahoma to even realize that the little guys were still at John's house. It's true, I forgot about them, after I was so adamant that if I was moving to Oklahoma, so were they. I knew they'd survive the trek.What I didn't know is that Lord Bryron, the feisty little cat, would be the cause of their death. I'm glad I'm not there have to see it first hand.
So sad...she said she'd get me more, but it just won't ever be the same. It's like saying you're going to replace a child, some things are kind of irreplaceable...ok, maybe it's not exactly the same, but pretty darn close.
R.I.P. little guys!!

Mother's are a girls best friend

If there is one woman in the world I wish I could be more like, it's her:


She's beautiful, and one of the most selfless, thoughtful, giving, talented, and patient woman I know. I've always said if I can be half the mom she is, I will feel very accomplished in life. I already know my future children will rather play with her than they will with me. She's incredible! I don't know how I got so blessed to have her as a mom, but she's definitely one of my many blessings in life that I wouldn't trade for the world. Mom, thanks for being one of my best friends, always answering the phone when I call, even if it's the 10th time that day, for listening to me when I need someone to talk to, for being a shoulder to cry on, and someone I know I can always laugh with. I think you are amazing, and I'm so lucky to be your baby girl.

I love you!!!

Total Eclipse Of The Heart

If any of you haven't seen the show Glee, I HIGHLY suggest it. That is, if you like singing, dancing, and quiet frequently cheesy plots. I so happen to love all of those things, and from day one of this show airing last year, I have quickly become obsessed. I have my favorite songs that I love listening to over and over again, but this song, from this weeks episode, has topped my list of all time favorites. Probably because it took me back to my younger years, and I longed to be back in ballet again. John said he's support me in taking classes after we get married. I think he just likes the idea of me being in a leotard with a tutu...

A little thing on love

It's funny how 9 months ago, while sitting at work, talking to one of my friends/co-workers, discussing our dating lives, our "love" interests, and all that is entailed in that oh-so-fun aspect of life, the last thing I said to him, before walking away from that conversation, was this, "I don't believe in love." To which he responded, "And so begins your love story." Knowing me, I probably rolled my eyes at him, and made some snide remark. Little did either one of us know, that that's exactly what happened next, my love story began to unfold, and will continue to do so forever and ever.

Had someone told me that the boy from the computer labs, back in my BYU days, would one day be my fiance, and soon to be husband, I probably would have acted a lot faster. That is, after laughing at them for telling me that he was going to be my husband, considering he and I had never talked, and our lives were both taking us to very different places in the world. But some miraculous way, when things are meant to be, God finds a way for them to work out, even when we think it to be impossible. I have no doubt in God's abilities to bring to pass great things, miraculous things even. I have no doubt in His ability to know each of us so well, that sometimes our lives have to take a different course than we may have expected, but it's all for our own good, our own growth, and our own understanding. And when we're ready, He will bless us with blessings that we don't always deserve, but that we're privileged enough to experience. For me, love has become one of those blessings. And surprisingly enough, my love story has turned out just the way I had hoped for, but far from how I ever expected it to be.

I may be stubborn at times, opinionated, impatient, and demanding on occasion,

and because of that, I don't always feel like I should be so lucky and deserving. But for some reason, despite my weaknesses, God has let a good thing happen in my life, and that good thing is him:

I may have claimed to not believe in love a few months

ago, but if you'd ask me that same question today, I'd happily say, that it's amazing how one person can change my mind and make me think differently. I'm in love, I believe in love, and I can't wait to spend forever with with man I love!

OKC vs DC

It's been over two weeks since I made the trek out to Oklahoma City, and I have to say it's a little miracle the transition has gone so well. Not that I ever doubted it wouldn't go well, but knowing I was coming from DC, to OKC, it had me worried, I'll be honest. I've never thought I was better than OKC, but in my mind, I was just coming from DC, the nations capitol, a fast paced society where you can never get bored, even if you try. I knew I was coming to a place that even the locals say is "boring", so naturally I wondered what the transition would be like. I was worried that DC had made me into a girl that had to have every resource possible at the tip of my fingers. I was worried that DC had spoiled me into giving me everything I ever wanted. DC had made me into a classy girl, although not nearly as classy as the rest, but I still tried to keep up. I was a girl who thrived off of a fast paced society. And while all of this may have been/still is true, I'm discovering a new me that is about to emerge. One who went from saying, "Let's go shopping and have dinner in Georgetown," to "I'm fix'n to head right so into town tonight, if ya'll want to join." It's a new way of speaking, but I'm never opposed to new things, you know, the finer things of life. I went from a work environment that talked sex, HIV and AIDS, to being a health coach at OU last week. Instead of telling people to lay off of the promiscuity, I tried to convince the extremely overweight Oklahoma population to lay off the fried okra and fast food, that so conveniently lies on every street corner. I went from paying a pretty little penny for rent, to live in a house with five other girls, to paying for an entire summer's worth of rent, for less than one month's rent in DC. Now there's some food for thought? Why didn't I move sooner?! I went from wearing a suit to work (ok, so I rarely did that but it wouldn't have been weird if I did every day), to knowing that if I put on some cowgirl boots and a hat, and walked around town, it wouldn't be weird, or extremely out of place. I went from having a mall, plus a million other stores, just down the street from me, to not actually knowing where the closest mall is. So, needless to say, I have a lot of new things to learn out here. A new way of life to get familiar with. A new way of thinking. And a new way of talking, to say the least...

July 10, 2010

Major allergies to Spring,

on top of
Major food allergies,
then add
Mono to the mix,
and for the heck of it
Why not get engaged and drive across country pulling a 6x12 trailer?




Since my part-time job doesn't start until next week,
I'm following doctors orders,
Sleep
Sleep
Sleep
And taking it easy for awhile.
Oh, let the adventures begin!

T minus Three Days

I didn't serve a mission, but maybe this is what a mission feels like? After spending two years somewhere and really getting to know the culture, the people, my surroundings, the ins and the outs of the city, I have to pack up and leave, wondering what it will be like the next time I come to this place as merely a visitor, not a resident. It's bittersweet. No matter how excited I am to move on with my life, and begin an entirely different journey, there are still moments when I have to remind myself that the sweetness in my journey ahead is all that matters right now. But it's never easy to say goodbye. It's never easy to move on from what is so familiar. And it's most definitely never easy to leave family behind, knowing I will never get back the experiences and time I've had while living with a sister, and having another one just an hour an a half away. One can always replace a favorite shirt, or a new pair of shoes, but replacing time with family is simply irreplaceable. Come Friday, I will probably be an emotional wreck, as I turn and say goodbye and close the door behind me, on my Fort Scott Drive house, one last time. How sad it will be to close the door and walk away, leaving DC and the memories behind. I have no doubt that this is what I'm supposed to be doing, and let's face it, love makes us all a little crazy at times. So, despite what some may think, I'm following my heart, and I'm doing what I know to be the best decision I have really ever had to make thus far in my life. The memories of DC will always be with me, and DC will always hold a special place in my heart. I've had more experiences than I ever thought possible in just two years, and I know I'm a better person today because of them. Two years flies by, and even with a room full of packed boxes, I'm having a hard time believing the end is here. But it is, and that's that. Thankfully I didn't have to vanish too quickly, and I got to enjoy one of the best things DC has to offer, the cherry blossoms! I love DC. I may have not always acted like I love it out here, but in retrospect, DC is a unique place, and I know that no matter where I end up in life, nowhere will be quite like the place I've called home for the last 713 days.

4 More Days...

...until I slip into mini-retirement.

Today is my last Friday of EVER working in the District.

WHAT?

It's weird,

exciting,

sad,

blissful,

odd, and

stressful

all at the same time.

So, what am I going to do with all the time on my hands, you may ask?

Well, I have a feeling my mini-retirement will be far from relaxing.

But that's ok,

because other exciting things will keep me occupied

and I'll forget I'm not getting a paycheck every two weeks.

I guess that's the one and only downside to not having a job.

I like making money.

Oh Oklahoma, the fun times we have ahead of us!