The Cure

It's said the cure for anything is salt water: sweat, tears or the sea. That sentence couldn't ring more true, especially that last one. I am so excited to be in home sweet Florida this Friday! I have so much to look forward to but most importantly, I'm just ecstatic to see my friends, breathe in that humid air and embrace the glorious sun on my face. Tampa is home and always will be. 

In other news, as embarrassing as it is..I'm also kind of obsessed with this song. Like, I know it's stupid, but it's catchy okay?! It's obvious I spend my days with three girls who love disney channel and tween boy bands...he's 17. Not ashamed.

Also, am I the only one who didn't know the Backstreet Boys are back together and on top of the world?? (yeah, that might be a stretch to say that...) Love it. Love them. Check it. Who am I?!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynBplqio1R4

Tid Bits

The Thompson's came to Rexburg & we went to dinner at Wingers..not the best restaurant ever but definitely some of the best company! Love them.

I love when people have birthdays because it gives me an excuse to bake! My roommate had a rainbow cake request and I made her dream become a reality. Six layers and homemade cream cheese frosting is the only way to go. #bestroommateaward

Pictures taken with my three favorite peeps in Rexburg...We're kind of into ourselves.

Stripping my walls of all my decorations was tough, especially the beloved photo wall next to my bed.

All smiles after walking out of my LAST FINAL of Spring semester..that's partly because I didn't even look at my score. I also decided to actually get ready for the day. First time in a couple weeks..I figured, might as well go out with a bang, right? I'm telling ya, this semester almost killed me.

Sunflower seeds is how I get through long drives; I really only eat them during road trips. I took the risk and tried chili lime..good but I think I'll stick to cracked pepper, my fave.

Provo canyon is absolutely gorgeous and one of my favorite drives. Love that you have to drive up it to get to my new home for awhile..aka Heber, Utah!

Two litters of puppies are in the barn out back. In LOVE with them. Part of the girls' chores is to go let the dogs out (the people I nanny for breed labradoodles) three times a day and I secretly love going with them just so I can see the puppies.

Getting woken up to play Go Fish in my bed. It was too hard to resist; it's a good thing she's so dang cute.

** I don't absolutely love the layout of these pics so it could change, but every Thursday I'm gonna be posting "tid bits" ..a photo documentation of my life throughout the week. This will do two things: force me to take more pics of my day to day happenings and also blog at least once a week!

Bittersweet

I am not sure how I got so lucky but being friends with these girls has been an answered prayer and an absolute blessing in my life. Growing up and throughout high school, I had the most amazing group of friends and I didn't think anyone could ever measure up..not in a million years. Although they haven't replaced my other friends, these beauties are EXACTLY what I needed and have truly become some of my very best friends. I thank God every day and often find myself wondering what I did to deserve such loving, devoted and caring people in my life.

We are so different, yet so alike in countless ways. Kenz loves gaming, anime & writing (and she's dang good at it too), is constantly thinking of others, laid back, has everyone's backs, makes me feel so good about myself and not to mention, a total babe. And when I say always thinking of others, I mean it. She is so selfless. She's always asking if anyone wants a back massage and the other day, she made us cookie dough in the middle of the night just cause we wanted it. Haley is hilarious, has the cutest clothes, makes everywhere we go a party, is a dreamer, goal setter and influences me to be positive & see the good and has the biggest heart of gold. She genuinely cares about the well-being of those close to her and it is noticed and felt. She is so fun to be around, I'm constantly laughing when with her and we have made numerous memories together. Jess couldn't have joined our little group at a better time. She is so sweet, alwayssss up for an adventure, supportive, bold (in a good way), willing to help & serve and always does so with a happy attitude, carefree and we've gotten so close in such a short time. I know I can always call her and she's upbeat and wants to do something..we're just similar in a lot of ways and the more time spent with her, I realize that.

Leaving these friends and stepping out into the unknown is scary and I think it still hasn't hit me yet. These next 5 months better fly by.

Feels like forever.

It seems like an eternityyy since I've had a summer break! (in reality, it's only been a year) but as of this coming Tuesday, I am officially out of school until January. I cannot even begin to express the joy felt behind that glorious sentence. I know, in a couple weeks this feeling will wear off, I will miss my life here and I'll be itching to come back (always happens..) but for now, peace out Rexburg!

And some fun facts about how I've coped with finals week/the anxiety of leaving:

-watched more netflix than the entire semester combined

-eaten more sweets than the normal person should.

-rediscovered my love for mint chocolate chip ice cream (see above...)

-social life >>> academics

-baked a 6 layer cake..cause ya know, I had time ?

-procrastinated every thing that should be getting done- even showering. #sorrynotsorry

-spent hours the day before my busiest day doing a photo shoot 

So yeah, I'd say I'm doing fiiiiiinneee. Hah.

oh, and Florida- aka home, my beautiful state & heaven on earth..I'm coming for ya! August 2nd. I could use some beach therapy, along with time spent with some of my very best friends.

I cannot wait.

xoxo,

Linds

oh, the unknowns.

Three things that freak me out:

the future

changes & making decisions

taking tests

                                 

And what do you get when you combine all three in one week? I'll tell ya, an anxious, crazy, hormonal girl who deals with it all by watching endless amounts of Desperate Housewives and avoiding everything that needs to get done. Which just ends up freaking me out even more. (when will I learn?!)

As much as I hate to admit it, I'm a planner. I like to know what I'm doing, where I'll be, who I'll be with, etc. Right now, the future is a blur. This has been going on for quite some time. However, finalllyyy things started to fall into place and decisions are being made. Hallelujah! The other night as I was reading my scriptures, I felt an overwhelming amount of comfort and peace with my decision. Everything will work out for the best. As hard as it is to leave my friends and the life that I've grown comfortable living, I will be back. This is temporary. I am hesitant but looking forward to leaving school for awhile and embarking on a different adventure. I know that when the Lord closes one door, He shows His love and compassion by opening up several new and compensating doors. 

So yeah, let's pray I make it to Monday night alive. Besides finals, there's sooooo much I want to do in my short time left here in the Burg..I've realized I actually kinda love it here and spending as much time as possible with my friends seems more important than studying..(I have my priorities straight..haha).

xoxo,

Linds

Bits & Pieces

"It is not happy people who are thankful, it is thankful people who are happy"

About a month ago, some friends and I decided to text each other every day something we were grateful for. We I was really struggling and having the hardest time thinking of even just one thing to be thankful for, however over time I've been striving to look for the positive in my day and it has made such a difference. I notice the little things, the small act of kindness directed toward me and others, the relationships with people that I have come to cherish, the beauty around me and all the blessings God has placed in my life. I am trying my hardest to look past the heartache, trials and frustrations I feel because at the end of the day, I truly am so, so lucky.

It is crazy to think that Spring semester is ending and I will be leaving Rexburg in TEN days. If you know me at all, you know I absolutely despise change. I'm excited to see what life has in store for the next five months but thinking about leaving this little town that I consider home and all of the friends who I call family gives me some serious anxiety.

So to commemorate the end of the semester, here's a little compilation of pictures that never made it on this poor, little abandoned blog of mine (this is just a glimpse of the millions of pictures I have..so that's saying something!) Looking back, although sometimes challenging and hard this has definitely been a great semester.

^^this was seriously the hardest thing to do to narrow down! maybeee i'll have to do a round 2 of pics!