SPRING SEMESTER

Another semester done and guess what that means...

ITS SUMMER BREAK!!! 

I am so happy to be done for 7 weeks and to really do nothing. I mean, I will be doing some job shadowing and babysitting but that is the most "work" I will be doing. To be honest with you... I find that stuff fun! I mean, I also find school fun.. but going non stop from September - July (with SOME breaks in between) is exhausting and you just need a nice long break. 

Spring semester is always my favorite. People are happier, Karie Anne's is in Rexburg, you can be outside with out a jacket on, the days seem longer, its totally normal to eat ice cream more than three times during the week, the list goes on. 

The only sad or bad thing about Spring Semester in Rexburg is while its nice outside and the sun is shining. Its hot. While I love the heat... you cannot wear shorts on campus!!!!! So, jeans it is. Sometimes I would wear a dress but I don't have enough "casual" dresses where I wouldn't get asked why I'm dressed up if it wasn't Tuesday (devotional day where its totally acceptable to wear church clothes during the week without getting questioned about it). 

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND

One fun thing I did this semester was Katie and I drove all the way to Seattle for Memorial Day weekend!!!! It was so much fun showing her my hometown and all the fun things to do in Seattle. We also go to go to our old roommate, Kelsey's, wedding! Kelsey and I actually grew up in the same town so that was a win win for us to come home for that! On top of showing her around, it was BEAUTIFUL weather in Washington! Summer's in Washington are the best. The green in the trees seem more beautiful than before, Mount Rainer can be seen as clear as ever, the breeze feels nice with the sun shining. It was hilarious to hear Katie's reaction the whole time we drove home, but immediately as we hit Snoqualmie Pass. 

"Its so green!"

"OH MY GOSH IT IS SO BEAUTIFUL!!"

"ITS SO GREEN!!! LOOK AT ALL THE TREES!"

I think I heard "its so green" so many times- but thats what I love about Washington. You've been to green places but when you come to the PNW in the Summer- that green is a different kind of green that you just can't explain. 

Being from the Seattle area, you go to Pike Place market... a lot. I never get sick of it but it is just so exciting taking someone who has never been! We of course went to the Fremont Troll, climbed up top and snapped a picture. My parents were with us too and it was funny to hear them say that they've never visited the troll either!! I was shocked. But, it was fun to try to climb up. 

Then we drove to Kerry Park which if you are planning on going to Seattle soon.. you need to go there. The view of the Seattle Skyline was so beautiful! It was a clear day and so you could see Mt. Rainer perfectly. Then we went to Pike Place and walked around the whole thing. We stopped of course at the gorgeous flowers. It was peony season and they were .... HUGE. I wanted to buy some and take them back to Rexburg with me but I knew they wouldn't last. :( I was so sad. We got lemonade at the juice place and it was so delicious... it was so hot that we drank the whole thing so fast. We also saw the cutest dog sitting in the basket of a bike and it was hilarious cause he had flowers surrounding him and wearing goggles you could barely see him!!

Then later that day we went to the wedding reception and I finally saw Natalie!!!! She had gotten home from her mission a week before and it made me so so happy to see her. It was actually longer than 18 months that I had seen her because she left after I had left for Lithuania. 

The next day after church we drove to Snoqualmie Falls and it was gorgeous again!!! So we walked down to the lower part and go pretty close. Then we had a BBQ with my grandma and parents which was fun and then headed back for Rexburg the next day.

Besides Memorial Day weekend Spring semester was so much fun. Oh and I cant forget about the 4th of July boy was that.... I dont even know. I was so upset about not getting my dang Mexican Corn!!!!! Alyssa, Me and her two friends went to Idaho Falls after we went to Rigby Lake with Katie and Amy too. In Idaho Falls they had all these food trucks and I decided that I was going to wait in line for the Mexican Corn and right as I was getting up there to get mine they stopped taking cards. So I had Alyssa wait for me in line, ran to the mobile ATM and then that was broken!! So I got back and begged them to see if they were actually not taking card anymore and they said no. I had waited in line for over 30 minutes and got no corn. I was so upset and mad!!! But its okay it was still fun. 

Overall, Spring semester was a blast. It was filled with lots of ice cream, pizza, dog snuggles, floating the river, spending time at Rigby lake, Fitness Marshall (its like zumba but I dont even know how to describe it), beautiful sunsets, bonfires for Brooke's Birthday!!! AND lots of laughs. Oh and of course... studying my brains out. It was a really hard semester balancing work, (side note: I got a job as TA for NUTRITION 150!!) and all my studying but I did it. I spent a lot of hours on campus and in the library but it was so worth it! I had the most amazing roommates and I loved all the memories we made together this semester!

Now for summer break and spending all my time outside in the sun and fresh air!! I cant wait. 

WINTER SEMESTER

Another semester in the books. This semester was obviously- freezing. I remember the first day of classes the temperature outside said "-4 but feels like -30". HAHA For about ....1 week maybe 2? If I remember. I LIVE IN A FROZEN TUNDRA.

But, Rexburg has a special place in my heart so deep down even though I wanted to cry every day when the temperature was that cold... I would remind myself it will warm up soon enough.

Last week Katie said to me, "remember when we would walk to class and our nose hairs would freeze?" hahaha Oh good times when we literally wanted to cry walking to class- but couldnt because they would probably freeze. 

Honestly, Winter Semester 2017 was GREAT. Here are the highlights from this semester:

I TURNED 22!! 

You better believe I listened to that song all.freaking.day.long. Taylor Swift is my home girl. My cheese to my macaroni, My ying to my yang. Side note: One time in 2015 I did a facebook celebrity look alike quiz and I got that I look like Taylor Swift. So obviously I knew that was 100% correct. I will always and forever stand up for my girl. Funny story- in high school I always called her Horse Girl because she was very country and it didnt fit her. But then 1989 was born and boy oh boy did I become a hardcore taylor swift fan. Anyways not the point. 

My birthday was honestly, so great. Katie made it so perfect. All day I got texts and calls from family and friends. Katie had bought me a "birthday girl" pin and she made me wear it all day. So, you can imagine what happened on campus. At points I would forget and random strangers would come up to me and wish me a happy birthday. I was in class till 5:00 and then my roommates and I + Spencer (Kelsey's fiance) went to Texas Roadhouse for my birthday. Our waitress was actually super funny and super salty. I told her it was my birthday and the whole night she kept making jokes about it like that just cause it was my birthday doesn't mean I'm the center of attention. At points I was confused if she was actually joking or serious because homegirl had a good poker face. 

Later that night I had a bunch of friends over for cake and music. I had about 5 songs on the playlist but you know what we listened to the most? 22. Also Alyssa brought over her brothers puppy and that was also SO GREAT. I love dogs more than the average person I know. But, they bring joy and happiness into your life and are so cute. How could you not love them??

Also my good friends Tanner Chatterly and Bekah Sevy took pictures of me for my 22nd birthday and that was always so much fun. I love them both so much.

real life this is my face when I saw a puppy

Another highlight?

I WENT THROUGH THE TEMPLE!!

Now, I wont say much about this other than that it was the best decision I have made in a long time. I made a step closer in my relationship with my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and I am so incredibly glad I did. It was what I needed to do in my life. It was the next step I needed to take. Theres a peace and comfort I cannot put into words and a love I felt so incredibly deeply. I love this gospel with my whole heart and I love temples. I am so grateful that I was able to come home for the weekend and go through with my parents. Temples are a wonderful place to feel closer to our Heavenly Father, to take yourself out of the world for just a few hours and to see a clearer picture. I am so happy I did and Im so grateful I am able to have one so close to me at school! 

Other than my birthday and going through the temple, Winter Semester was filled with lots of laughs and studying. So much studying. Recently I actually decided I want to apply to medical school! My back up will still be, becoming a registered dietitian but I want to pursue my dream. I mean, WHY NOT?! I am so happy for the decision I made and I know it will be hard and it will take a lot of studying and lots of exams, but I know it will be worth it.

Winter Semester was also filled with lots of soda runs, watching LOST like crazy, Temple dates with myself (my favorites), living with my best friend, popcorn/movie nights, deciding to train for a half marathon, trying miracle fruities (they make everything sour- taste sweet! SO WEIRD.), getting my first 100% on an exam EVER(!!!!!) and so many more memories. I am now home for Spring Break and I am so happy but I am so excited for Spring Semester!!!!