Second Chances

I told Suzzanne I wasn't a big Jason Mraz fan. She told me I was listening to the wrong songs and made me a mix. She was right.

My favorite song on the cd she made is 93 Million Miles

In addition to loving this song because it's just so pretty, it makes me think of my mom. Part of the song says, "...in life you're gonna go far, and if you do it right you'll love where you are. Just know, that wherever you go, you can always come back home."

This sounds overly cliche, but as I get older, I need my mom more than ever. No, that's not accurate. I think I actually realize more just how much I need my mom. And my mom has always adopted the mentality that her home is always open to her children. In 2007, I was living in Provo and struggling. My personal life was in shambles, and my academic life was all but extinct. My parents didn't have to think twice when I asked to move back home. Since that time, I've known without a doubt that I'm always welcome and 6542 will always be where I call home.

I'm extra nostalgic because I get to see my family soon (15 days 'til I roll into the WVC) and thinking about seeing my family makes me miss my family. To fill the gap, I'll just keep listening to this song.

I'm glad I gave Mr. Mraz a second chance.

93 million miles from the Sun, people get ready get ready,
'cause here it comes it’s a light, a beautiful light, over the horizon into our eyes
Oh, my my how beautiful, oh my beautiful mother
She told me, "Son in life you’re gonna go far, and if you do it right you’ll love where you are
Just know, that wherever you go, you can always come home"

240 thousand miles from the Moon, we’ve come a long way to belong here,
To share this view of the night, a glorious night, over the horizon is another bright sky
Oh, my my how beautiful, oh my irrefutable father,
He told me, "Son sometimes it may seem dark, but the absence of the light is a necessary part.
Just know, you’re never alone, you can always come back home"

You can always come back…back…

Every road is a slippery slope
There is always a hand that you can hold on to.
Looking deeper through the telescope
You can see that your home’s inside of you.

Just know, that wherever you go, no you’re never alone, you will always get back home

93 million miles from the Sun, people get ready get ready,
'cause here it comes it’s a light, a beautiful light, over the horizon into our eyes… 

Seeing Stars (and Stripes)

My Fourth of July turned out to be a week-long celebration, beginning with the concert at Memorial Park last Friday, and we'll finish up this Saturday at Shakespeare On The Green.

On Tuesday night Suzzanne and I did some window shopping at my current favorite Omaha store, The Afternoon. That place is full of things I think I need, but topping my current wish list is the In My Humble Opinion journal pictured below. Then we made our way downtown and parked a few blocks from the T.D. Ameritrade ballpark where we were able to see their phenomenal fireworks display. I uploaded a video of the finale to Facebook. 

I woke up yesterday after not a lot of sleep but feeling oddly energized. I credit the fact that the Fourth is my favorite holiday. I don’t possess Adiel’s talent with manicures, but I've been known to lack any sort of apprehension when applying eye makeup, and I thought yesterday was the perfect day to try out Too Faced’s Skinny Dip shadow, the one shade that had remained untouched in my Insurance Policy palette. Of course, blue eyeshadow alone doesn’t mean America, it just looks 80’s (especially with my large, frizzy hair that Omaha’s humidity blesses me with). The solution? Add a touch of red eyeliner. It was intense, and I loved it.   

The rest of my day was filled with great food from Ingredient and treats from Trader Joe’s, watching cheesy movies and TV shows, and a bbq/service project at the Institute. It was completely different from any other Independence Day celebration I’ve enjoyed, but that seemed fitting. I was away from family for the first time on the Fourth and in a new place, so it made sense to start my own new traditions in Omaha. I’d like to think that next year I’ll be home enjoying the Magna Fourth of July parade, but if not, another relaxing day watching Jude Law and Kellan Lutz will do just fine.

Fly Over States

Hello! What a blur the last two months have been. This summer I have...

kept busy at work

 celebrated the truth of this breaking news story

(okay, hopefully you know this one is a joke)

 had my transmission go out a second time

 enjoyed Omaha's incredible Summer storms

 fallen in love with the TV show Once Upon a Time 

(and started taking stalker pics of guys at airports that remind me of characters from it)

I made a trip home at the beginning of May and was able to:

I made a second trip home a couple weeks ago (because my gracious parents are lending me their car) and got to wake up to this:

I have spent time visiting:

 

and

I did the Fourth Omaha style:

And had a fantastic time teaching a lesson yesterday about unity, with a patriotic spin:

 I took a summer class, which ended a week ago. I've missed friends that are home for the summer and made new unexpected friends. My upcoming plans still include another trip home to Utah in July, one to Pennsylvania in August for Matt's wedding, and another to Utah for Adiel's.

The one thing I haven't yet done this summer is find that perfect summer song. You know what I'm talking about. It's usually country, and it just captures the spirit of the summer. So far the closest I've found is Fly Over States by Jason Aldean, and I think it only resonates with me because I'm spending my summer here in Nebraska. So if you have a suggestion for my summer soundtrack, let me know!