Coming to a close:

Hey, Hungary!

     

     Today was beautiful. Sunday mornings always come quickly when you have 8:30 church. I have to be the mother and wake all of my roommates up to get ready in time, but eventually we made it with seconds to spare. I've been thinking about you a lot this week, especially since we had a convert baptism in our ward this week. Who even knew things like that happened in small college towns? It caught me off guard, that's for sure. Then, when the missionaries confirmed her in church, it was so beautiful. I started thinking about how this is what you've been experiencing for the last eighteen months of your life, and I felt like I could be a part of it for just a few minutes. That was a sweet little experience. 

    Remember how we took pictures at the temple park across the street from the MTC the day we dropped you off? My friends and I took a trip down to do baptisms there this weekend. Again, all I could think was about you and how we've finally come full circle. It's almost over. 

    So before you come home, I just want to say thank you for being such a great example of selfless service. You are so wonderfully Christ-like. You've been such a great missionary and sister to me, and I'm glad to have you home again. 

2 MORE DAYS!!!

Love, America 

While Small Towns Sleep:

Hey, Hungary!

     Have you ever had a magic moment? Mine was this morning. It began with a flop to the other side of the bed and the notification light from my phone beaming up at me.

     "If you are asleep, wake up.
     "If you are awake, watch the sunset."
     I'm sure my roommate, who had opted to sleep on the living room couch rather than put the effort in to return to her bed, thought I was absolutely crazy walking out of the apartment, still in full pajama get up, hair poking out at odd ends, at seven-twenty in the morning.
     But this command, given by my most dear and wonderful Cousin of Poetry, was one I couldn't help but obey. My bedroom window, thankfully, offered an altogether too limited view. I only realized this was a good thing as I stood in the middle of the sidewalk half-way behind my apartment complex with the whole panorama in front of me.
     I stood there for a long time, gathering strange looks from the seldom early-morning drivers going passed. I didn't care one jot. The sky was pink and orange and yellow with a brightening blue twinge. The chill  morning air was so crisp the birds' wings broke it as they flew by. I smiled. It had been far too long since last we'd said good morning like this.
     Now I'm curled up on the swivel chair at my old secretary-desk, surrounded by piles of books and blankets, listening to Israel Kamakawio'ole sing a mix of "Over the Rainbow" and "What a Wonderful World" on a loop.
     It really is a wonderful world.

Love, America.

The Strange World of Academia:

Hey, Hungary!

     So...my last post was rather a bit dramatic, don't ya think? I certainly think so. I guess that's what happens when you stay up too late and have an imagination as vivid as mine. Apparently the combination doesn't mix so well together. Huh.
     Therefore, I feel obligated to offer this public service announcement: College is actually not terrible. It's actually quite fun, once you get your studies done. My roommates are in fact hilarious. And amazing. And so talented. And I love them to bits. When one of them gets back from class or something, she always throws the door wide open and yells, "FAM! Fam, I'm home! I'm home fam, fam I'm home!" It's so grand, we all just have to join in until she's sure we all know that she's finally home. We really are just like a little family, Sunday dinners and everything.
      I think I've told you mostly all about my classes already, so we'll just suffice it to say they're going well. Yes, even Biology. But what I really love about this whole college arrangement is the window.  (I have to type it in italics like that so you get the tone of voice.)
     We live right at the top of the stairs of the complex, so everyone who lives on the second level has to walk passed our apartment before they can get to theirs. Every time someone passes, it's always, "Hi, 14", "What's up, 14", and, my personal favorite, "Captain America! Can we join?!"
       Apparently, things are going quite swimmingly. More later.

Love, America

Midnight Musings

Hey, Hungary!

     I imagine you're just getting ready for the day now, but it feels strange. It's just about one thirty here, and the night sky looks like it's holding its breath. But maybe that's just because I am. I've been thinking a lot lately, about life, staring at the sky. It's almost as if I expect the answers to be written there by some nocturnal steam jet pilot. 

     I'm moving out this week. 

     They all say college is the next best adventure in life. Everyone keeps asking me if I'm excited. I hate that question. Why do people ask questions they've already decided the answer to? I am not excited, but I smile so they won't see past the hesitant "Yeah..." I give. I smile. But I am not excited. 

      I am terrified. 

      Which is also the reason I'm awake and lying in front of a keyboard at one thirty in the morning. What if my roommates are rude? What if I don't know how to find any of my classes and end up flunking because I don't know how this whole campus thing works? What if my professors think I'm incompetent? What if nobody likes me, and I spend the next four years of my life alone? 

Now you see why I stare at the sky. 

      I don't really expect you to understand because most of this has just been my stupid poet's mind over thinking every possible scenario, but thanks for letting me get it out. I had to say it, at least once.       I am completely, utterly, and unequivocally terrified. 

But I've lived through this much. 

 I think I'll try a little more. 

What if.

 It's just six letters. Two words. One lie.

Harmless, right? 

I'll let you know. 

For now, I'm going to try to get some sleep. The poetry's starting to wake up--and trust me, that world is better left in dreams. 

Thanks for letting me ramble. Even if it didn't make a scrap of sense, I needed to get it out.

Until next time--

Love, America

     

Loving Life: the 'how-to' edition

Hey, Hungary!

   
     Life is good. And I don't mean that in the mundane it's-been-an-okay-day-so-far sort of way. I mean that about living in general, and living wholeheartedly. The gospel is such an incredible blessing that helps me know even through all the junk this world has to offer, there is still good, and it shines brighter because of everything that is dark.
   
     I had such a lovely evening tonight. you know those people who just see the world with such a unique perspective that everything they say and do just leaves a little fingerprint on your heart? And while you're with them, you know they care what's happening/ what's going on with you? Because Cousin Johanna is one of those most beautiful humans.
 
  She came and fetched me for a walk tonight, completely out of the blue, and we had the most delightful time. We made our way over to Martin Park and simultaneously had the brilliant idea to swing on the swings and just talk about things and boys and just life (hence the opening mantra). There were times when we were talking about some pretty heavy stuff, but we both agreed on two things: (1) the atonement makes everything okay, and (2) once you realize you're a child of God, things get so much easier. Which doesn't mean you aren't ever goiong to encounter any trials in your life, because you will, but you get to understand that what you go through doesn't define who you are, it's what you do with it that does.

    We also talked about other things, like school and friends, and I told her about some of the hard stuff I went through in high school that I don't really like to mention all that much (or even at all), but it just so good just to talk. I love that we can do that with our family; just talk about things that mean a  lot to us and know that they won't be brushed aside or blown off. I love that we can just bring the gospel right in to any conversation and recognize what a blessing it is in our lives, because it is.

      I am SO grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who sent us here to learn, and who gave us families. I am so grateful for a Savior who suffered all kinds of pain, even death, just so I could live again. And I am so grateful for the incredible patience they both have in helping to make me in to the best me I can be. Heaven is so kind to us all. We just have to open our eyes and see it.

     Hurrah for Israel!!! Hurrah for the gospel! And hurrah for missionaries like my best friend-sister who sacrifice so much of their time to help others feel this love I'm feeling right now. You're really changing the world out there. Keep up the good work.

Love, America

So it's Been a While...

Hey, Hungary!

     I haven't written in ages, so I figured you probably deserved at least something before you positively died from lack of vitamin me. But in all seriousness, I've been really missing you these last few weeks. I know I'm not technically supposed to bring that up, but it's true. People will be casually talking about things completely irrelevant to you but all I can think is "if Hungary were here, she'd say this hilarious thing I must now interject." And then just today my pals and I were planning a photoshoot but then ditched because their families had different ideas of fun things to do on memorial day weekend, which I totally understand. But all I could do was remember that autumn you'd spent raking all the maple leaves together and made me come out and take cool pics of you frolicking. I thought, "Boy, she would do it with me!" But no. Because you have to be living it up five thousand miles away. Pffft who said that was OK?  Not I. Not I.

    In other less depressing news, I finally ditched that strange world of melodrama and clichés for the more sophisticated college world.  Yes, that's right. I am now officially a graduated human. *The crowd goes wild* yes, thank you, thank you.  I know; I'm pretty much amazing for surviving the easiest, most fundamental years of societal debut. Quite an accomplishment.  
     But it's okay because yearbook day was actually pretty fun. I'm pretty sure I got low key proposed to. Except I sorta also proposed to him, so I suppose it's mutual. I'm a heartthrob, it's fine.  ( OK so in all honesty, we were both kidding but it's a very dashing note so, hey, it's sticking. We're eloping as soon as he graduates next year, "if convenient" his words not mine.) 
      Besides my joking courtship, there is one boy with whom I am just a touch desperately in love who signed my yearbook, a fact in and of its self I am immeasurably proud of. I don't know if I've told you about him, but we did go on a date to Vocal Point once. His name is J[oshua] Corey and he is a devout yet completely adorable nerd, who wears a Star Wars mellenial falcon shirt every Friday because he and his squad have established it Falcon Shirt Friday. But this is to be understood when I tell you he was in my AP Latin class this year. He has the most darling smile, and he looks just five years old and inexplicably blissful when he grins ear to ear and laughs at some of the awful puns I love to crack so much. It's actually really bad for my health. For instance, one day I dragged the whole squad to someone's mission call opening just because he'd be there and I wanted to see him. Pathetic, I know. Anyway, the point is apparently all my incredibly clumsy flirting attempts paid off because HE WROTE IN MY YEARBOOK. Yes, I do know you're already aware of the fact, but still! Ten points to Hufflepuff! Also probably to Ravenclaw too because I think that's where he'd fit in. He even thanked me "for the great experiences" this year, said he "loved" having class with me, was glad he could go out with me, confessed that he thinks I'm "amazing", and the show stopper that he "loves [my] poetry!" COULD IT GET ANY BETTER THAN THAT?! Because I submit that it cannot. Clearly he wants to marry me. Except he shall most probably have to get in line. Oops.

    Well, now I suppose you're a little more caught up on all the small town America goings on. I'll keep you posted on the whole boy ordeal, but let's just say graduation looks good on me.
   That's all for now. I'll talk to you soon!

Love America
    

Strange Happenings:

Hey, Hungary!

    
       Sometimes I feel like every opening line I write is, "I have the craziest/strangest story for you this week". But other times it's really just true. This time it all started with a ticket stub, an empty bucket of popcorn, and me attempting to be social. I don't know why I even try anymore, it always ends up embarrassingly for all involved parties.
      Well: I have this group of friends a year older than I am; they all graduated last year, so apparently it was a brilliant idea to have a "reunion" of sorts. We were all down to begin with, but then, slowly yet surely, they all began to drop out, claiming excuses of "work" and "I'm going to school two hours away and won't be home that weekend". Eventually our party was reduced to three: Chad, Tiffany, and myself. I was resolved, however, to go and make the most of the occasion despite the fact that I might feel awkward with just the three of us.
        I was certainly not disappointed in my expectations: it DEFINITELY was awkward. I pulled up as the other two were already in line; naturally, I joined them and engaged in the usually scripted "Oh how are you- Thanks, you look great too-What? Seven months? I can't believe it's been that long" conversation. Everything was running according to plan...until we finally reached the ticket booth.
       Chad turns to me and says, "Oh, and by the way, I'm buying your ticket for you." This was very strange. And the fact that he hadn't included Tiffany in the demand only enlarged my sense of "what in the heck is going on here". Apparently she'd already gotten hers before he had a chance to pay for it and therefore he felt the need to triumph by purchasing mine instead. I tried to refuse seeing as I had brought my own money expressly for this purpose (not to mention the fact that if I let him by my ticket it would feel kind like a date and that would be TOO weird because there were two girls and only one guy). But he insisted.
       We walked inside and instantly set our sights on the candy counter. Chad once again declared that he would be buying popcorn for everyone, but that if we would like anything else, we were free, by all means, to do so then. I thought this was a rather fair compromise mostly because I knew arguing the point with him could go on till dawn. In accordance with the plan, Tiffany walked up to the counter and ordered a small box of Jr. Mints...and a bag of popcorn.
      It was my turn next, and thanks to Tiffany, I had no idea what to do. (Social anxiety is great, right?) So, eventually, I thought to myself, "To heck with this popcorn thing, I just need me some Jr. Mints." And that's all I got. But then comes Mr "Chivalry" and buys a large popcorn to, and I quote, "share". IF THIS DOESN'T SOUND LIKE THE AWKWARDEST ALMOST DATE, THEN I DON'T KNOW WHAT DOES. Because poor Tiffany over here's like third wheeling hardcore and I don't even want this guy's attention, but we be sharing popcorn. All. Movie. Long.
      SO that transpired.
      But here's the best part: I get home and see that I've got a text from none other than Chad Yeates himself. "Listen," he writes, "I have a question I really need to ask you, but I need you to be 100% honest with me." Dang it. The stinking kid is gonna ask me out now. How do I let him down easy? Life is so much less complicated when I stay at home on my couch with my Jane Austen novels. But I can't hold him off for long.
"Sure, go ahead."
He replies with, "Do you think it would be awkward if I asked Tiffany out on a date?"

BOY I DID NOT SEE THAT ONE COMING. Grinning as wide as possible, ear to ear and back, I respond: "No! Not at all! I think it would be lovely and that you should DEFINITELY give it a go! ! !" Man! Dodged a bullet there. I then proceeded to rethink the entire evening. I was the one third wheeling, not Tiffany. She was just playing the strong-independent-woman-who-don't-need-no-man and I was left to receive the offers she didn't take. It was kind of hilarious. And I'm glad, too, because I was almost that one chick who initiates all the HS drama, and we all know I am SO not about that life. So, I guess you could say all in all it turned out pretty swell. And I now can go back to sitting on my couch in peace, knowing the world is one couple happier, even better that it's not me. I really should get a cat....
 
Well that's it for this week! Be glad you don't have to deal with high school anymore, you're better off. Trust me.

Love America