I really dislike hiccups.

Exciting news!

No, not hiccups.

I received an email from the head advisor of the vet tech program at BYU-Idaho today. I just need to confirm my interest in the program and I think I should start classes this fall! I have no details on the situation though, unfortunately. I'm at Girl's Camp all next week when I should be registering for classes. I can get away on Thursday morning for it, so I hope everything falls into place for me.

And it's 80* outside right now. And it's 10:45 PM. What's wrong with this picture?

Happy Independence Day, America

A year ago, I was in another state, with another family, doing another activity. I found myself in front of the Idaho Falls temple watching the crowd grow.

We set up only to move an hour or so later. And best friend Boy was trying to give me sass. :)

The things I put up with last year...

This year was much quieter. It's on a Sunday. I bore my testimony. We had a family BBQ at a good friend's house in town and I got to see the bunny, Doug! Doug used to live with us and was our guard rabbit. Our garage is not safe anymore. Now he's living the life of luxury.

Vicious, I know.

I got to thinking about last summer, too. By this time last year, I had already gone out to Rexburg twice since being back from winter semester. First time, I flew. Second, I drove. I remember back to all of the memories I created with all these friends that I've grown to love along the way.

July 4th has always been my favorite holiday. For whatever reason; the warm summer weather and the bringing together of a nation, incredible fireworks and shows, or yummy BBQs. This year, I'm in my bed with best friend Dog by my side; writing letters and staying up late to the blasts of power off in the distance that keep me happy.

Happy Independence Day, America!

A free escape

There is almost nothing better than driving my Subaru down a clear road surrounded by a variety of scenery on a hot summer day. Windows rolled down, left arm resting on the car door soaking up rays and the other hand on top of the steering wheel, controlling where my next steps will be taken. There's not a cloud in the sky and I look out and see for miles. Sunglasses on, hair tied up in a loose, messy pony tail, flip flops over the pedals and chapstick freshly applied. A mixed CD plays from the stereo bringing back grand memories from past summers and creating new ones right then and there. Wind blowing through those loose curls and the hum of the engine tells me I'm home.

There is nothing better.

My home state is better than your home state

So, I'm pretty partial to Oregon. There are a lot of reasons why and I will stand by them. It's always green, 24/7, 365 days a year. It's beautiful, filled with valleys, mountain ranges, rolling hills, green cities, oceans, rivers, lakes, waterfalls, and many other geological features. It's not extremely cold in the winter, nor is it blazing hot in the summer. The people are some of the friendliest in the nation. Drivers are considered to be the second smartest in the nation on the road as of this summer (right behind Kansas). You get the best of all worlds, from city slickers to country folks. We have no weird accent. The license plates are really pretty. Where else will you find beavers fighting ducks?

But today.... ohhhh today. My family lives way up out of town, and on the road that connects the highway to our road a logging company did some clear cutting back in April. Because of this, they created a "view point" at one shoulder along the road. Every time I go into town, there is always someone parked there or a bike riders would stop and stare. On clear days, you get a million dollar view.

Today was one of those days.

You can see Mt. Hood in the distance.

And close up. Killer lens, eh?

You can see the clear cut, and then downtown Portland in the distance. If you click on the photo and blow it up, you can see Mt. Jefferson on the far right above Portland.

Beautiful Portland.

My beloved little Subaru on the ledge of the view point.

Oregon continues to be beautiful.

Class of 2010

It's hard to believe that this was me merely two years ago. I lot has happened in the past two years, yet it seems like time didn't exist. Henry graduated today and is officially done with the public school system of Scappoose. He'll be attending school at PSU in the fall and will be studying Biology. He's brave!

Congratulations to the class of 2010 of Scappoose High School! May many paths be opened for you and may you find true joy wherever you travel.