Update

Man I was doing so good at keeping this updated almost every day. Well the summer has flown by, can't believe that May is pretty much over! Classes have been going okay so far....still trying to just get by. I did however have one fun weekend with Jaymo! We went down to the historic 25th street and went to all the antique shops we could fit in. We only made it through one half of the street so we will have to explore the other half some other time. 25th street is my new favorite place to just go and walk around. It is full of so many cute little boutiques and fun restaurants. We found this antique bike shop which was so much fun to walk around and to see all the bikes!

I think my favorite part was just looking around at all the antique shops. So many cool things to look at. All the old records, typewriters, old books, weird art, spectacles, hats...oh man the hats! I don't know how many hours we spent looking around in those shops but I enjoyed it immensely!

After a couple of shop exploring, it started to rain. I love the rain! We just kept wandering up and down the street looking at the other shops. We went into a little clothing store and as soon as we came in, a heavy smog of toxic perfume surrounded us. How can that lady stay in that store and not get a tremendous headache or get high off that smell! We quickly got out of there and inhaled the fresh rain outside. Our last store that we explored was a very, Very expensive furniture store. They had some really cool pieces, which included a huge gong in front of this decorative bed, artistic pillows and lamps...it just goes on and on. I wish I took more pictures because words just can't describe this shop. I did however take a picture of a chair that I fell in love with. I wonder what awaits us on the other side of the street!

Life during the Summer

So I have officially met all my roommates and now know all their names! The first couple of weeks are always a little awkward just because you don't really know what to say to them, what their likes/dislikes are....etc. Chopsticks has been home from her mission just about 2 years or so from Hong Kong China, which is pretty awesome! She really likes Wasabi sauce which I just tried for myself yesterday and didn't quite understand why she liked it so much. At first I didn't taste anything, then....THEN...I felt like someone just ate the spiciest thing on earth and gave me a snorkel. If you don't know what a snorkel is, then go to girls camp :) Cheerio is going into the nursing field as well as Chopsticks, Betty Boop, and Tights. So we have a full house of medical people! Betty Boop I actually knew last semester and we got together and decided we wanted to live together this summer. She has a twin sister and they look nothing a like. Tights has the best personality and is just cute. She has a lot of energy which is sometimes needed at this house. But so far life has been pretty crazy. Doing summer semester and working full time has not been my cup of tea. Hopefully I will be able to get my head in gear and finish this summer well. As of right now it's been nothing but stress.

Confession

I have an addiction:

to fresh, juicy, luscious, velvety, chocolate covered strawberries.

Time

I have now reached the time in my life where my old, loved ones are fading away. I have been very lucky to still have both sets of grandparents still alive. I guess I haven't even given it a thought that their time here on this earth is coming to an end. Grandma Packard has been in the hospital for quite some time now and has not been doing well. The family is having a really hard time...and I have shed my fair share of tears. I went to go visit her with my mom last weekend, and to tell you the truth I almost didn't want to go. Grandma Packard is slowly losing her memory and I didn't know if she would recognize me. We reached her room and there was Grandpa sitting, watching over Grandma. To test Grandma we asked her what daughter was here and she answered right. Then we asked her what granddaughter was here.....she looked at me for a long time then closed her eyes and thought really hard. She couldn't remember who I was. I wanted to shout, "I know you can do it Grandma...I know you know me!" I tried to stay strong after that for my mom but I couldn't and broke down. After I had gained somewhat composure, I sat on her bed and just told her what I would be doing this summer. She looked at me and smiled for a second but then she closed her eyes and put on her "grumpy face" that she has been having for a while. I just keep praying that everything will go well and that she will soon regain her memory; but then again, I have to remember that we are all on the Lords timetable and that it may be her time to go. If it is her time to go, I know that I will see her again up in Heaven and she will remember me. That's where I am so grateful for the Gospel that I have in my life. To know that death is just a small step for us to be able to live eternally with our families. To know that we are not bound by death. To know that when my time comes, I will not fear because I am going back to live with my Heavenly Father. What a blessing it has been and will continue to be, to have that knowledge.

"I'm gonna die" drive home.

I got off work at 4:00 pm and started home quickly so I could miss some of the rush hour traffic coming up. Well I ended up right smack in the middle of it....in the pouring rain! For the first 15 to 20 minutes or so I couldn't even see the car in front of me which really freaks me out and had no idea where the lines where! No worries I'll just take up both lanes! Not really but it felt like it. Poor Mater! I was praying the whole ride home that Mater would just hold up and that I wouldn't slide into someone and die. I hate driving...espcially when you can't see.... All and all it took me 2 horrible hours to get home instead of the easy 45 minutes it usually takes me. I sure hope the weather isn't like this when we go camping!

à la maison

Well after a couple of days of crap everywhere, I am unpacked and put away...well for the most part. There is still a tiny problem with not having a bed frame or box spring but do not fear because I am soon headed to the wonderful land of Ikea! I never realized how much stuff I had until I had to pack it up, move it, then unpack it all. The house is old, but old in a vintage style. The oven and stove are ancient. I tried to cook dinner tonight and gave up soon after because I didn't want to blow up the house. Maybe next time. The kitchen is very spacious though. A definite upgrade from my previous abode. We actually have a back yard, with a fire pit and hammock! Hurray for a reading spot! We also have a real piano in the living room which is very accommodating as well. Don't get me wrong, I love my electric keyboard but there is a huge difference when you sit down to a real piano.

Sandman showed me this awesome paint commercial. It pretty much is the most colourful thing I have ever seen and it makes me really want to be there, on the swing set swinging, being sheathed with paint that drops from the sky! I can't believe they did all that for a minutes worth of a commercial! Don't fret environmentalists....the paint is environmental friendly :)

I started working full time at my dental office this week...and it's killing me! haha! I'm used to working maybe 3-4 hours a day. Now it's the full 8-9 hours a day. But hey that just means more money which I desperately need to be saving right now. There are still so many things that I need to get; school books, scrubs, storage boxes, food....the list goes on. I hate the effect money has in our lives. I don't want to be controlled by it, but yet it does control so many things in our lives. So many families are torn apart because of money. My goal is to finish school without any debt. Mom is awesome at keeping track of where the money goes in the family and hopefully I will be able to pick up on her skills soon!



My new humble abode


My bed is the sad looking one on the ground :(

So long, farewell, au revoir, auf wiedersehen

This just in...my room is a catastrophe!!

Adieu University Village

Adieu George and stench

Adieu touchy hot/cold shower

Adieu kitchen with no cabinets

Adieu angry people below us

Hello house

Hello backyard with fire pit!

Hello new roommates

Hello vast kitchen

Hello real piano

Hello summer.

La Ferrovia Restaurant

(Yesterday) So I am waiting in the vacuous room of the Union Station waiting for my pops to arive. He and some of his work buddies took the newly opened FrontRunner and met me at the Union Station to go out for lunch. I found out that my dad spent the whole train ride with a bunch of snooty-phalooty kids from a private school that deicided to ride the train for a field trip! Nightmare. The train was running 10 minuets late so I decided to go around and take some pictures. For lunch we went to this quaint little Italian restaurant called La Ferrovia Ristorante. Either I was really hungry or the food was really delectable. I think it was both! The owner, Giuseppina Ashbridge brought her recipes with her when she left Naples and she and her husband serve authentic dishes with the italian accents and everything! While we were waiting an ambulance pulled up. Did someone order an ambulance? Anyone? Well I guess someone in another room of the restaurant passed out! They brought in a strecher and carried the poor guy out. His, what I assumed to be little girl, waved and said "bye dad!" as she skipped out the back door with her mom. Kids are so funny! Pops turned to us and asked, "would it be rude to ask what he ordered?" Haha! I don't think it had anything to do with the food because I am still alive but it was an interesting day for all of us.