Goodbye My Almost Lover

Tonight I found out some heartbreaking news. Juniper Hall, where I lived for my first two years of college, is being evacuated and most likely for good. And for some reason all I can think about is the song by A Fine Frenzy

Goodbye my almost lover

Goodbye my hopeless dream

I'm trying not to think about you

Can't you just let me be?

But it wasn't almost love, I loved it with all my heart, and still do. So tonight I'm writing a letter to a building. Don't mock, we all have different ways of grieving right?

Dear Juniper,

I can't even begin to express how grateful I am for your presence in my life. You taught me to never judge a building by it's appearance but by those that dwell inside. You brought me my GFR,Ween, Grizz, the B300 boys, Meech, S. Katie Hill, Maximus (such a fighter,) some great ducks, and so many more. You taught me showering is always better with music and whole meals can in fact be made in the microwave. It doesn't matter if the two floor tall Christmas tree tilts a little as long as it's decorated with love. I learned that ether and a lighter can catch a love seat on fire and soccer balls can break windows. Curfews were meant to be broken and quiet hours were never really quiet. Every job or opportunity I received in my time at SUU was because of people I met through you.

But most importantly, my testimony grew exponentially in our two years together. You have this amazing talent of taking 200-300 18 year-olds every year and turning them into a family, you teach them to grow up and start them on their journey of becoming productive members of society. It hurts my heart to know you will probably never be able to do that again. Thanks for everything.

Love,

Em

Settling In

I've gotten my life here down to a pretty great routine, ready for it?

Wake-Up

Make breakfast for the Fam

Some sort of exercise (walk, bike ride, elliptical)

Clean something (room, kitchen, living room, car)

Shower

Search and apply for jobs

Pick up Michael from school

Make dinner

Attend nightly activity (Institute, Relief Society, Mock Trial practice)

Throughout all of this I run errands for my mom and am waiting patiently for my fingerprints to clear so I can substitute. The first couple of days were rough but it's nice to have time to think.

I have always loved serving others and for the time being that all I can do and I love it. Like today I had the time to make some extra Salsa to take to a Sister in the ward and make brownies for Jenny's class.

Tonight I learned how to quilt:

Don't look too closely, it's a first try and a little misproportioned.

The best part though is I'm making friends. I told myself I was gonna be active with the YSA group before I ever moved here, the first Institute was rough but it's going good and we're even planning a campout for next weekend. Holla!

To add a cherry on top of it all Laurel and Staci are coming to visit this weekend! Wanna know how amazing they are? Read the last two posts on this blog.

El Centro: Day 1

I've been in El Centro for approximately 3 hours and they've been a great three hours. I have to give credit though to a CD made by one Laura Corry, which I may have listened to it 5 times in a row, it seriously put me in the best chill/pumped for a new adventure mood. I also got to stop and see my niece in Vegas, which of course included her receiving new SUU swag.

Had some Celias (best Mexican food ever) waiting for me when I got home, great life discussion with my mom, and then scripture study and prayer with no one other than the coolest 12 year old alive, Michael Spencer Burt. I went into complete EFY mode and started asking him questions so he could figure out himself what he was reading.

We had a great life discussion about Either 12:4

4 Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with ^asurety ^bhope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which^chope cometh of ^dfaith, maketh an ^eanchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in^fgood works, being led to ^gglorify God.

In the morning I'm taking him to school and unpacking and setting up my room. Maybe when this room looks a little bit more like mine it won't feel like I'm just visiting my parents.

1,869

I moved to Cedar City, UT one thousand eight hundred and sixty nine days ago. And when I wake up I will run the last few errands and move back to El Centro, CA where I grew up. I've known this was the plan for awhile and I know it's where I'm supposed to be, at least for a little bit, but it really just hit me tonight as I began to pack up my room. I can't even begin to explain what a different person these last one thousand eight hundred and sixty nine days have made me. When one chapter ends another starts.