My Island

I'm leaving this beautiful place called Oahu sooner rather than later. The idea makes my soul cry; I've become so attached to everything about this place. The people, the nature, the sounds, the smells, the ideals, and the tastes. Here are just a few changes that Hawaii has wrought upon me.

-An even greater love for my darling family. Especially my mommy

-I feel old. It's a younger demographic at BYU-H, or at least the kids act younger. It's helped me realize what age has taught me, and embraced the new me. Don't get me wrong, i'm just as silly and adventurous as the next kid, but I can celebrate my maturity at the same time.

-A love for sand. It gets everywhere, just like how the vibe of Hawaii get's under your skin. It's got it's grittiness, but over all it's beautiful and you couldn't have a beach without it.

-Better money management. It's flippin expensive out here

-Patience. Not by choice. But it is a divine gift and I'm happy to have the chance to develop it

-A new love for my natural beauty. There's this style out here i'll call "Hawaii Grunge." Imagine a top not, skinnies, and some beat up old t-shirt. Sandals are optional. Make-up is unheard of. But with the simplicity comes the true beauty. Maybe it's just cause everyone is so tan, but there is a loveliness in the easiness and carelessness.

-A deep love for macadamia nuts, coconut, and shrimp.

-A better appreciation for the friends in my life. Those I've made here and those back home. People are so good. There are so many I'm lucky to know

-I've learned to slow down and communicate earnestly. One would hardly thing of Utah as a fast paced land, but anything is fast compared to Hawaii. And it is such a melting pot of cultures, before breakfast you run into 10 new ethnicities you didn't even know existed. Communication has to be executed on a different level. People don't understand things the same way you do. And if you keep trying to explain yourself in a way you would understand, you will never get your idea across. I've learned to be sensitive and work towards what a person responds to. Above all I've learned that kind words get you a lot farther than impatient ones.

-More love for my Gospel. My testimony is always growing, and this semester has been no exception. I know my God loves me, and I love him. I am blessed. And I know because of my blessing great things are expected of me. I want to make them proud.

-
Mahalo

An adaption of a facebook status:

Accept your worrisome thought as a thought you might have then move on, no one else can see it besides you. Why dwell on such an insignificance?

 

Struggling with some big decisions lately. 

On one had, I'm not sure what would be practical

Am I just caught up in the excitement?

On the other, I'm only young once

I just wanna be free

 

 My backyard

 

But you've gotta be wise. Sometimes what seems like it will make you happy will make you miserable in the long run. Sure I can make every decision I'm given freely, but I will never be able to choose my consequences.

The problem is, sometimes those consequences are so far away, it's hard to know exactly how they will effect me.

The best thing I can do is pray and work hard

A good enough reason to miss a few midterms

Soooo i took hundreds of pictures on this trip. Ask my family, they couldn't keep the camera away from me. Unfortunatly, all those pics didn't quite make it onto my computer when i flew back to Hawaii. So I'm stuck with trying to give justice to a trip of 4 different times zones, 2 full days of flying, a million happy old friends, new family with adorable accents, and a sad tale of lost luggage through lame phone pictures. Here goes:

 What better way to start a vacay then hitting up matsumoto shave ice. Never had more sugar in one sitting. This is the kind of snow cone place that is so good they sell t-shirts

Air and Space Museum. My daddy was like a kid at Christmas

Can you believe my family had never been to Chipotle? I helped the fall in love. It wasn't hard

At a different kind of mall. 

My favorite girl.

I missed her so much. She's growing up way too fast.

My main man

  I took full advantage of the cold weather to get scarf wearing out of my system

The marvelous DC temple. This picture doesn't do it justice; it's seven stories tall. It looms. Braylin was right to pick it as her temple. 

My first view of Utah in three months. It felt good to be back. Even if it was just for a few hours

And finally, the reason for the whole lovely trip. 

My beautiful, new, happy sister with an even happier Kevin.

Probably the worst picture of them, but they're still adorbs. 

I really have never been prouder of this kid. 

My big brother is married. Oddly enough, it doesn't feel odd. We all knew they were perfect for each other, and their being in love just turned him into and even more wonderful version of himself. They are puzzle pieces. I can't image them any other way then together.
<3

PS. The trip down to North Carolina was not represented, but it was full of country highways, country music, balmy walks, southern accents, and amazing food. I couldn't help but use a fake southern accent half the time. I would really love to live out there someday.