Summer Is Over

Whoa, where did my summer go? After my Bear Lake adventure with my ward it just sort of disappeared! It's honestly really sad to see it go, because when summer goes it takes people with it. I'm a big people person-although I hate to admit it I am. If I make a friend in my mind this is long lasting and not short lived. I love having connections with people. I'm constantly worried about a friend a day. I truly honestly value every encounter I have with someone who goes away as a friend.

 

Obsessed with this song even though it's kinda sad...:)

This summer was filled with friendships-strong powerful-not short lived ones. I hung out with a spectacular group of people, to name a few: The classy Carlie Ricks ( Car Car), The cub Kyle Loftin (Ky Ky), Brianne Larsen, Jenette Kozlowski and Kristen Rose. If you guys didn't know. My buddy Ky ky is leaving on a mission tomorrow, he's headed off to the MTC and is going to be gone for two years to diligently serve the lord. He will claim the title Elder Loftin and serve in Mississippi and for some reason I'm taking his leaving really hard. I think for the first time I actually understand the sacrifice that missionaries take to go on a mission. It's amazing to me the strides they take to leave home for two years and spread the gospel. The thing for me is that it's never been close to home. It was always my friends brothers or just some friends I didn't spend much time with (whom I still valued.)

What I also don't like are ends. The end of anything. Food, a year, a perfect moment, a night, a goodbye. I the thing is you need a goodbye to say hello again. In navajo you never truly say goodbye, you say I will see you again soon. It's never final. Maybe that's why I don't like goodbyes, because I don't get the context of them. Hahah. But with this end there is a whole new start.

I started my third semester today, second year of college, and it was brilliant. I felt rejuvenated and revived. It felt nice knowing where I was, what I was doing and what task needed to be done. After this summer maybe a little structure will help. I will never no never regret the late nights spent at Carlie's though. The flinging of glow sticks, the secrets, the drama/chillness of it all. It wasn't all sugar drops and gum berries but it was close to perfect.

So, with a heavy heart but an excited prospect ahead of me I say goodbye to this summer and move on-but always remember.
love*love*love*
Stacie D.
-P.S. Pictures of me and the gang the gang includes ( Carlie, Kyle, Brianne, Jenette, Me, Kristen, Travis and I think that's all.)

Jenette, Me, Brianne

Jenette Me Brianne Doing blue steel

Dave, Jenette, Me, Car, Ky Ky (most of the gang) at the Demolition Derby

One of our many activities- we went bowling, hiking and more!

The Gang (At Kyle's Farewell)

 Great friends will always remain great. It's just our job to be the always.

Feeling Novel-y (fiction)

"Are you sweet on him?" They ask with hushed voices. I purse my lips trying to smother the smile that seems to be spreading despite my efforts. " Come on you can tell us." A cool breeze sweeps over my face, I can almost taste the faint smell of the lake down below. I glance past all the faces and the warm glow to the fire. The moon hangs low in the sky, illuminating the water below, it's actually quite lovely.
I can't seem to concentrate on the little dazzling moon specs on the water, because there are eyes here staring me in the face. "Come on you can tell us." says one of the girls I am not particularly fond of.
I duck my head down because I can feel the furious blush come on. It's dark so I'm safe, for tonight at least. "If you don't say anything, we'll just tell him you do." threatens my friend.

"I'm not sure about it." I answer, the words sounding like desperate gasps for air.I can see it in the eyes of the girls my answer was clearly lack luster.
You see since I started going to the ward I had encountered many difficulties and this seemed to be one of them. I was relatively experienced in the dating field. Leaving me feeling vulnerable and mostly clueless. Very Clueless. I hadn't noticed that I was completely clueless until a certain gentleman asked me for my number and I just laughed at him for it. Until I realized he was dead serious. Oh, and that ended most spectacularly.
So, now, sitting in a beautiful cabin on a retreat with my ward I was most vulnerable. Not only because that particular person who plagued me was here but the fact that knew I wouldn't be able to hide from my ward anymore. Even my closets friends were starting realize that something was off about me. They certainly asked, but I couldn't tell them. Not just yet. Not until I was sure how I felt about everything.

Arizona Adventures!

Lightning cracked across the horizon repeatedly for the space of three days. The once hard sand baked ground became soupy with red mud. The sky not only cried but had reasonable amounts to cry a seem less endless drizzle. My cousins huddled around the water streaked window window, flinching whenever the lightning struck the ground, illuminating their young eyes with a brilliant flash. They're voices were low and hushed as they conversation about when the rain would stop.
My youngest cousin had found safety wrapped in my right arm with her head atop her knees.
"Stacie, I scared." she said, carefully using her baby talk to sound even more child like. I soothe her by rubbing her back and drawing pictures for her. She eases down and starts talking to me asking what the picture is of and what's going on. She looks over at me and then CRACK the lightening cracks her composure and she's in my lap again, shaking and worried. "Stacie, I scared." She says again. I rub her head. Sometimes we just have to weather the storm. 

A little dramatic usage there, I actually wrote that during a lightening storm on the Rez.The Navajo Reservation to be exact.

love*love*love*
Stacie D.