Bound To You

Sweet love, sweet love
Trapped in your love
I’ve opened up, unsure I can trust
My heart and I were buried in dust
Free me, free us
You’re all I need when I’m holding you tight
If you walk away I will suffer tonight

I found a man I can trust
And boy, I believe in us
I am terrified to love for the first time
Can you see that I’m bound in chains?
I’ve finally found my way

I am bound to you
I am bound to you

So much, so young, I’ve faced on my own
Walls I built up became my home
I’m strong and I’m sure there’s a fire in us
Sweet love, so pure
I catch my breath with just one beating heart
And I embrace myself, please don’t tear this apart

I found a man I can trust
And boy, I believe in us
I am terrified to love for the first time
Can’t you see that I’m bound in chains?
I’ve finally found my way

I am bound to you
I am bound to

Suddenly the moment’s here
I embrace my fears
All that I have been carrying all these years
Do I risk it all? Come this far just to fall?
Fall

I can trust and boy, I believe in us
I am terrified to love for the first time
Can you see that I’m bound in chains?
And finally found my way

I am bound to you
I am, ooh I am
I’m bound to you

P.S. If I had a hauntingly beautiful voice like Christina, I would sing this at my wedding in a heartbeat.

Checked Out

Not going to lie. I feel as if I've checked out of summer.

List of things I wanted to get done?

Unaccomplished.

Museums I wanted to visit?

Unvisited.

Books I wanted to read?

Unread.

Movies I wanted to watch.

Still in my netflix que.

I guess thats what happens when you realize paying for school/food/gas/fun in college takes priority over the relaxing summer you were planning. It causes you to stuff that wish list in the back of your mind as you focus on balancing two jobs and still trying to stay sane.

I learned a lot this summer about myself and where I want to go. But all this learning and growing has left me exhausted. I never thought I would ever say this, but I'm very excited to go back to school. I'm excited about my major. I'm excited that every class in my schedule is something that I actually care about. I'm excited to be with my friends again.

So I'm checking out of summer. I'm checking out of being grown up again for a while, and trying to hold on to my last month of being an official teenager. I'm checking out of changing diapers and checking spreadsheets. I don't like being grown up... can't I put it off for a little while longer?

Walks

This past week I've been working with the lovely Harper twins every day.

I go to work at the office from 8-lunch and then head over to the Harpers from 4 until 8 the next morning. With my parents off in Oxnard and my sister taking the truck back to work with her I've only had one way to get to work. Walking.

I was kind of excited about it at first.. "I could run to work every day and then I'll get my exercise in!" But then I remembered I had to lug around my sleeping stuff for the night in a giant backpack. Oh yeah, and its 100 degrees outside.

To make the trek more bearable, I stuck in my ipod and pulled out my camera. While the drive to the Harpers is approximately 5 min, the walk takes me about 20 in the heat and walking uphill the entire way. I've driven up that road countless times, but as usual, when I slowed down I noticed a lot of things about my old street that I had either forgotten about or was too busy to notice.

Like the funny weeds growing from the cracks in the sidewalk.

Or how much I realized I love street names as opposed to the number system in Utah. It adds character and I've realized I have an attachment to the street names as I associate friends and memories with each one in my neighborhood.

Or how much I miss old mailboxes. I have to admit, I was quite upset when we moved and my new mailbox was one of those funny key ones where you have to walk a block to get your mail. Plus, I always loved getting to put up the little red flag when I wanted to send a letter.

But mostly, I loved to see they way the world interacts with different colors, shapes, and textures. I always take my hometown for granted, just because its what I've always known. But on my little walks to work every day this week, I've found plenty of things that I love about this little old town.

Welcome Potter Heads

Harry Potter. 7.2

Is it really over? I'm still in denial.

I honestly remember my mom and I picking out the book off of the shelf when I was 8 years old. She would read to me every night, her and her huge belly because she was still preggers with my youngest brother scott. That's probably why he is the biggest Potter fan for his age.

Anyways... over a decade later I'm still in love.

The movie was perfect. I cried. I knew I would.

This isn't goodbye Potter, its see you later.

I thought my Trelawny costume was super original.

Until I saw about 27 other girls wearing their own versions.

My Best Friends Wedding

To say that Jessica's wedding was perfect would be an understatement.

I'm amazed that Jessica managed to plan this wedding, work full time, be engaged, and still manage to get a 4.0 in school. Brigham seriously married super woman.

When I say the wedding was perfect isn't just the fact that the food was delicious, the weather was perfect, or the decorations were dreamy, even though they all were. When I say the wedding was perfect, I mean that everyone there was so happy because Jessica and Brigham were just so happy to finally be together for time and all eternity.

Congrats Jessica and Brigham.

I am so excited for you two and the life you are going to share together.

Jessica + Brigham Salt Lake Temple from Jared Wortley on Vimeo.

&& While we are on the topic of my Best Friends wedding...

Why not start planning another one?!

I am so excited for Jessica and Tyson.

I've been hearing about Tyson since I first met Jess and now he is real!

I'm excited to spend this last fall semester I have with Jess before she ties the knot this winter!

Congratulations Jessica, know I wouldn't part with you under any other circumstances.

I love seeing you so happy.

Love is in the air.

UT

So after weeks, I'm finally getting to my posts about my trip to Utah.

I had so much fun catching up with friends and being able to just hang around.

Jessica Madson visiting me at my apartment. I've missed her WAY too much. She just got her mission call to the Baltic's speaking Lithuanian. She will be the best sister missionary.

a

4th of July we went to the fair in Provo where I was tempted to buy a temporary Hamsa tatoo.

Then Aimee and I headed over to a Jerusalem Reunion at Kevin's apartment. We ate yummy food and went swimming where some guy brought out 2 air mattresses. Where he got them from I have no idea.

That Thursday night we decided we would go camping and bring out 2 kayaks for fun. As the day approached, the boys were thinking of backing out because there was supposed to be a famous Utah thunderstorm that night. The girls, however, were not willing to give up the trip...besides camping in the rain sounds fun, like an adventure! "Have you ever been camping in the rain before?" Austen asks... no, actually we haven't.

We finally talked the boys into going, and I'm so glad we did because we had so much fun. We got there thursday night and set up camp. The boys so graciously set up their tents under the trees, with the most shelter, while the girls got the end of the slope, where all the rain water would run off to. But we didn't care because we were just so happy to be there.

Then the girls took off on the kayak, after about a 15 min walk trying to find where in the world we could load into the water. We paddled around and just talked. We talked about the world around us and how beautiful Utah is in the summer. After about an hour, we headed back in to find that the boys had started dinner. We had delish tin foil dinner (one of my absolute favorites) in the dark. Then the girls, and spencer, sat around the fire and did more of what we do best, we talked. While Austen and Cory went fishing.

The next day we got up and had breakfast, donuts provided by spencer, thank you spencer for being prepared when I forgot our food in the freezer. oops. & then headed back out on to the water. The boys went fishing while the girls paddled around singing and laughing. The boys had threatened to tip our boats over so we were staying away from them as long as possible. We decided it was time to go meet up with them, and realized that they were going to be true to their word, and ended up tipping us over into the water. Which ended up being loads of fun, and we wondered why we didn't just jump in the first place. So after getting soaked and attempting to swim back to shore ourselves, the boys picked us up and we headed back to dry land.

I loved camping. Seriously LOVED it. I can't wait to go again this fall. Even if its just by myself. & p.s. the thunderstorm never happened.

The rest of the week was spent riding scooters around provo, shopping, eating, and reminiscing with my Jerusalem friends, as well as a visit to the Hanses where we talked for hours about our friends and how much we missed them. I can't believe those boys have been on their missions for a whole year now.

The highlight of the trip was Jessica's wedding, which is coming soon.

I miss you Utah! See you in a month!

Incubus

Tonight I had the extreme pleasure of attending the Incubus concert,

as if I didn't remind everyone on Facebook about 10 times today.

You see, my love with Incubus started when I was in 8th grade.

A boy I had a huge crush on told me it was his favorite band..

so of course I lied and said that I loved them too.

When he asked me my favorite song, I instantly looked online for some sort of answer.

I thereafter was an Incubus fan, maybe a not so devoted one at first... but a fan nonetheless.

Fast forward to my 16th birthday...

All my other friends were planning fancy sweet 16 parties.

I was planning a roadtrip.

Incubus was playing in AZ and that was about the closest we could get to them

My mom so graciously agreed to drive me and my closest friends to the concert that night and then back again for seminary the next morning. Talk about best mom ever.

I still consider that concert the best I've ever been to.

We returned that next day to school wearing our sweaty, beer scented, band t-shirts.

It was perfect.

4 years later and here I am, in Santa Barbara CA, attending an Incubus concert.

This time with my little sister and her two best friends.

They opened with the song "Wish You Were Here"

Providence. Took the thought right from my mind Brandon.

Wish You Were Here I dig my toes into the sand The ocean looks like a thousand diamonds Strewn across a blue blanket I lean against the wind Pretend that I am weightless And in this moment I am happy...happy I wish you were here I wish you were here I wish you were here I wish you were here I lay my head onto the sand The sky resembles a back lit canopy With holes punched in it I'm counting UFOs I signal them with my lighter And in this moment I am happy...happy I wish you were here I wish you were here I wish you were here Wish you were here The world's a roller coaster And I am not strapped in Maybe I should hold with care But my hands are busy in the air saying: I wish you were here I wish you were I wish you were here I wish you were here I wish you were here Wish you were here I wish you were all here with me to see the show, just like we were 4 years ago. It would have been a lot more fun with my best friends there. But I can't help but smile when I think about what they are doing while they are all away. Full time missionaries, EFY Counselor, and Nanny. So even though I wish you were here with me, for my own selfish reasons, I'm glad that you are where you are. Lets not wait another 4 years until we see them together again.

p.s. I had to look on Myspace for these pictures.

Myspace. Really.

Twilight

twi·light/ˈtwīˌlīt/Noun

1. The soft glowing light from the sky when the sun is below the horizon, caused by the reflection of the sun's rays from the atmosphere.

Is it just me, or does everyone have a favorite time of day?

I love the way the world looks just before the sun sets.

The light is a perfect golden yellow and it seems to bring life into everything it touches.

It makes the dust floating from my window begin to sparkle and creates rainbows in my eyelashes.

For me, there is nothing more perfect than laying in my bed with the windows wide open and just soaking it all in. I truly believe that it brings out every color in its purest form. Its so romantic, and really a spiritual experience for me. Its as if those last minuets of light are the most brilliant to give us something to hold on to until it comes again the next morning.

&& the perfect song to enjoy the transition with.

p.s. who saw the movie? It was probably one of the most beautiful films I've seen.

Sunshine State

After an incredible week up in Utah, I am home.

I have so much to blog about... everyday was an adventure.

But on the drive home I picked up an unwelcome sickness.

Food Poisoning.

I've never had it before, and let me tell you its probably the worst ever.

So for now I'm eating popsicles in my bed and trying to stay alive.

The Debate: Heels vs Flats.

So while planning on going out to a party tonight,

my friends and I were discussing whether I should wear my wedges or flats.

Half said wedges, half said flats, and I was the tie breaker.

So this was how we decided...

I was worried that by wearing the wedges I would be taller than *eddie, a cute boy also attending said party. So Aimee so profoundly states, "Well are you willing to give up heels for the rest of your life for this boy, because if not... wear the wedges. Set the standard, if you want me, you have to grow."

So what do you think? Are you willing to give up heels for the rest of your life for the man of your dreams, or are shoes just that important to you?

For me... I'm setting the standard.

*Names changed for my own sake.

Send Off

This is it!

I leave for a 10 day trip in Utah tomorrow!

Today my mom called and asked me what my plans were...

Ummm. Did I make specific plans? No.

But I can assure you that every moment will be well spent.

I get to see some of my Jerusalem friends! Has it really been over 2 months already? Gosh, I still miss the Old City.

&& I get to spend time with my girls (minus jessica b, who would rather spend time with her family in Hawaii or something.) Which means I still wont get much sleep.

&Best of ALL... I get to see one of my best friends marry the man of her dreams.

Hasta Pasta.