Insomnia in Florida

I'm here! It's wonderful! The sun, beach and good company seemed to be exactly what I needed and exactly when I needed it. We went to the beach nearly all day. The sand and the sound of the ocean seemed to calm my soul. I applied 70+ sun block on my entire body, since I learned a long time ago (the hard way) that beautifully bronzed skin just wasn't in my DNA- red painful soreness was more my fate. BUT NOT THIS TIME! As I sit here typing, I am relatively pain free. I somehow seemed to miss (with the sun screen) a small streak on my back which is throbbing, but all in all operation "don't get fried on day 2 of a 9 day Florida trip that would leave you miserable for the rest of the trip" was a success.

Tomorrow- Siesta Key Beach. So so beautiful. I intend on lounging and reading and talking and swimming and loving every minute of it.

***One of my favorite things- friends that are just friends- no matter how far away they live or how long it's been since you've talked, just picking right up where you left off and it feeling as though you had seen them just yesterday. And there are still more of those friends to come!

Unfortunately my insomnia did not take a vacation, but at least I get to blog.

I will upload some pictures when I can.

Gosh I needed a vacation.

5/19/78

I'm faking.

Today is my birthday and so far it has been wonderful. Last night, my awesome friends threw me a birthday party. Full of BBQ and chips and brownies. We rigged a white sheet at the end of Maren's yard and used a projector to watch one of my all time favorite movies Superstar. It is so silly, but so awesome at the same time. Here are two of my favorite clips:



Erin and I were laughing so hard throughout, I am not sure the rest of the party was as appreciative. You probably need to watch it ten times to really get the humor. I love it.

Alyssa sent me this wonderful gem of a song, just for me on my special day. Listen to it all the way through. AMAZING(ly awful).

Also many friends bought me books, it was great! I am also told that more are on the way. I am so excited to read all these amazing books (especially the zombie one).



I was also given an amazing original art piece from my friend Matt. Peeps, googly eyes and blood- doesn't get much better than that. It definitely goes with the motif of my room, so that's an added bonus.



So my party was amazing, my birthday was amazing, my presents were amazing. I am pretty sure that this year is going to be amazing. All signs point that way. Here are some pictures from my party.







Birthday with the fam.

Book List

It's my birthday next week. Last year I had a whole wish list of things I wanted and many were fulfilled- a thoughtful surprise (Alissa) and a locket (Alyssa). This year, I want the gift of knowledge. If anyone is so inclined to purchase me a gift, I want your favorite book. I have this mission, a mission of having a totally awesome book collection. Not just to look at either, but to actually read. I am compiling a list of books I want to read in my life and I am gathering recommendations from all of the people I most respect and trust. This may include you. So please buy me your favorite book . . . or at least let me know what your favorite book is so that I can add it to my list.

Happy Birthday to me.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!!!

I love you Mommy.

PROOF!

So, I graduated. Well sorta. I walked around in my Hogwarts robes with a square hat and received a leather folder that will one day be filled with a very expensive piece of paper- oh and I got these too---------------------------------------->>>

Oh my family loves me.

Monday I start the last of it. I have two weeks of an eating disorder class and then one week in June where I take two classes all day. Differential Diagnosis and Adolescent self harm. So it should be an uplifting summer.

We've had some terrible news. Our Mexico cruise trip has been all messed up due to this crazy swine flu. They emailed me and said that they had rerouted us to Vancouver. Seriously???? Our beach trip was going to turn into a parka wearing, ice capades cruise (ok, so maybe not THAT bad, but definitely not the sunny beaches of Mexico). I am so furious, that I have banned all pork products and kick pigs whenever I can (which oddly enough, isn't very often). So we canceled the cruise. With no refund (jerks), but the intent to go at a later date. I am so bummed. I even bought two swim suits in preparation. Blast.There is a slight possibility that we will get on a cruise to Honduras or Belize, but I am not holding my breath.

Graduation was long and boring, but the result was great . . . relief. Now the real work begins. Finding a job is terrifying. I wish I could work where I did my practicum. I love loved it there. Adolescents and drug abuse, does it get much better than that?

Oh and guess what else? I am turning 31 in ten days. Wow. Where did the year go? I have been telling people I am 31 for the past month. Not sure why, I guess I am ready. One big change will be where I go to church, that has yet to be determined, but I think a family ward is going to be the best fit for me. I have a feeling it's going to be a great year. A party will soon be announced so keep your eyes and ears open for the news.

Here are some graduation picture highlights. ENJOY!!!



Doesn't my robe look unusually larger than everyone elses? Oh and I don't have a red thingy because I didn't want to pay an extra 20 bucks for a stole of gratitude. I felt incredibly ungrateful on the day though, so I probably should have just done it. Ah well.

MASTER OF THE UNIVERSE

Ok, or maybe just social work.