#166 - the rainy wait

Since the birth of my mac, I've been checking all my gmail accounts through the mac mail program; making it so I don't have to actually log-in to gmail.com. A few months ago, though, I discovered a feature on google that allows you to change the theme of your main page. I've changed the theme a few times so far, but have soundly rested on one I really like. It consists of a group of people (and animals) waiting at a bus stop. This adorable little gathering draws me to log-in to gmail regularly now. Every day it has been the same. Always the same. People still waiting. Sun still shinning. Animals still accompanying. Grass still green. Sky still blue. I've grown acustom to it.

Footnote: as I was driving back to work from my lunch break, a freak-slushy-hail-snow storm hit for about 2 minutes. It's been gloomy, rainy, windy, and overcast all day, and then finally the climax hit.

Later that day, I logged into gmail to access a document for work, previously saved there. I looked at my gmail and what did I see?? I big gloomy rain storm looking at me! I was blown away... I didn't know the picture could change?! We're all in this together... see you soon, little bus stop neighbor friends.

#102 - moist and brown

We have been dumped on by the rain for a few weeks now and my schedule has been such that I have been able to avoid getting wet. I'm either at home watching from the coziness of my couch, in class listening to it pounding on the roof, or at work watching soaked exercise enthusiasts persisting through. While I'm walking to and from, the rain takes a break, and usually as soon as I'm safe inside, it hits again. This courtesy has been noticed and much appreciated, until today. There was no escaping the walk across campus to my home, and then a bike ride quickly to work. Being wet isn't so bad (being in the rain is wonderful when you don't have an 11 hour shift that follows), the only problem for me was I was speeding on my bike to get to work on time, causing a sundry of mud speckles to line my back and butt (because I was foolishly standing up while I rode to avoid the water from the wet seat to seep into my pants). So now I'm here, at work, with a large brown streak up the middle of my behind. Right now I am far too envious of those who invest in the bicycle splash guard.

#98 - dearest

Dear Gossipy Friends at the fitness desk,
Your failed relationship is surprisingly interesting to me. If you wouldn't mind, please talk a little louder so I can her what your ex-girlfriend did that was so terrible. Don't give up on dating all-together though, I'm sure there's someone less crazy out there for you.

Dear Sweaty Guy in the weight-room,
Just because you are wearing a shirt that is two sizes too small and you saw me look at you lift weights, does not mean that as soon as you are done, you should ask me for my number. I'm going to say no, because I already said no to one sweaty guy tonight and it does not make you more appealing. Try maybe finding me out side the cliché of the gym.

Dear Flirty Couple behind me,
Stop it. Just stop it. Go love on each other somewhere else and not directly behind me. You keep running into me. Focus and stop it.

Dear Rexburg Weather,
Please stop crying. It makes my bike seat all wet and thus, my pants when I sit on it. I do love the rain, but would appreciate more days when I can sit outside, bake, and read.

Dear Girl,
I wish oh I wish I could help you with your woes. Let me ponder more and if anything glorious or grandiose comes to mind, I will be by your side with loving advice.

Dear Boy,
You should probably step up. I'm a very nice girl and you might enjoy spending more time with me.

Dear My Last Senior Semester; Summer 2009,
Where did you go!? Why are you leaving so fast... don't give me to boot yet. Maybe linger a little longer so I can still find time to go camping in Yellowstone, take a trip to California, bond enough relationships so they will continue after I leave, and especially don't end before I can find a new job. Your cooperation is much appreciated.

Dear Olympia,
I miss you dearly. Maybe not certain unmentionable things, but most defiantly the warfy, fishy smell that drifts in in the middle of the night, the deliciousness downtown and two plus-somes just out of town, my flatwin hero, and your calming, understanding mistiness.

Dear Health Science Faculty,
You can stop asking me about my relationship status any time. It's always going to be the same answer: I'm not sure about things right now, but we'll see. I'll let you know.

Dear Taco Bell in my tummy,
You made me sick. Why did you do that?? I thought I was hungry and wanted you... big mistake. Owiee

Dear Family,
I can't wait to see you all in July (and the rest in August)! Thank you for supporting me and coming out for my graduation. Athough I am less excited to actually "walk", I am excited to see you and take happy pictures. Thank you thank you! And I love you.

Dear Brittany,
When will I see you again? Can you come to my graduation? I need more of your crazy to rub off on me - I'm still going strong, but I feel it fading. I miss your face!

#81 - i dwell in the tundra

I can't handle this. Not only is it incredibly dry compared to the ever raining Washington, but it's hurricane-like windy. Yesterday brought 60 mph wind gusts! Which, in the wind gust department, is pretty intense. I especially felt the effects by having to pedal down hill to push against the wind and almost being knocked over on my bike a few times. Back to the point: the wind and the dry weather is killing my skin. I already have hand problems - always banging them on things and scratching them up (apparently I have no way of controlling them, or have spatial problems and don't know how far away from my body they can get. They've been nicknamed my meth-hands from all the sores). That on top of the attacking weather = pain all over. It feels almost as though I have a burn on my hands and arms that won't go away.

#64 - what's this?! what's this?! there's white things in the air.

Remember, way back, when I told you it was spring. I was just pulling your leg. Ha. Ha. Ha. It has been terrible weather in Rexburg the last few days: blizzards, cold, ridiculously windy. I'm very confused and sad inside. Today though, the snow was in a good mood. It decided to come down in cute little squishy balls. I was walking home from the library when it started to come down; my initial reaction was something along the lines of, "you've got to be joking! I was just in sunny, warm, happy, Spanish Fork - please let me go back." accompanied by lots of boo's and urg's. BUT THEN, when I was in it, I realized that the snow was making lemonade when it was given lemons and was positively as happy as it could be. I took lots of pictures on my walk home and even brought some happy squishies into my roommates to show them the excitement outside. I just hope two things: one - that the weather in Washington will be better than here when I arrive and two - that Rexburg will come to its senses sooner rather than later.

#60 - tiptoe through the tulips with me

Happy Spring! It's so exciting - the night and day are exactly the same length (almost romantic)! I found a website on how to celebrate the Spring Equinox, and to me, this was nothing short of magical brilliance:

Step 1: Get in the "mood" by taking a walk in a field of flowers. Pick some fresh flowers and take them home to bring the spring into your house (my residence in Rexburg might require a floristial purchase... we've got slim pickins... unless I want to pick brown/tan grass. SLASH feel free to bring me flowers-that is always welcome).

Step 2: Reflect on the meaning of spring. It is a time to plan what you want to accomplish in the coming months. Decide what new things you want to bring into your life (I would like to add less crazy people and more cookies).

Step 3: Wear colors of a pastel nature that are traditional for the Spring Equinox (I think after the spring break I'll invest in some yellow and orange shirts. There is a yellow/orange void in my life).

Step 4: Paint hard-boiled eggs as a symbol of fertility, rebirth, and spring. Deviled eggs are also appropriate, as well as nuts and seeds - symbolizing the planting of new ideas and life (mmm sounds like nuts and eggs for dinner tonight!).

Step 5: Ask the goddess of spring for guidance in carrying out your wishes in the coming months (this one is my favorite. I like to imagine her with hair made of flowers wearing big leaves in the form of a very stylish party dress).

BYUI is celebrating in their own way: the studiers have emerged from the desks of solitude and homes of silence to study on the hills and lawns on campus; short sleeve shirts and toes that we haven't seen in months. It is positively glorious weather - and listening to the birds loving the weather, almost reminds me of waking up in New York in the summer to beautiful chirping (only to quickly be extinguished by the death-grip from my cat). Ahh spring.....

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