Just the Beginning

"Ships at a distance have every man's wish on board."

      It's officially my second day in Twin Falls, Idaho. I just finished my freshman year at BYU and coming home has been a very surreal experience. I've felt kind of lost in a state of limbo trying to find where I truly am. I feel at certain moments, like when Tanner read me poetry by J.R.R. Tolkien, or when Brittney ran up and hugged me when I got home, or when I sang Hushabye Mountain to Jason to get him to stop crying, or when I was talking to my parents about my college experiences, that I'm very much at home and most certainly enjoying it. But at other moments, like when I'm about to fall asleep, or when I wake up to Spencer's text saying, "Good Morning Darling :)," or when Travis calls me to express his disappointment for my lack of forethought on how many no bake cookies he was capable of consuming, or when Kenyon texts me devious suggestions on the timing of a controversial pixie haircut, or when all is quiet and I'm simply lost in thought, that I'm very far away. Sometimes I find myself back in Provo or lost in a memory, but either way, it seems that this two-way pull of my thoughts and my mind's eye will become a common occurrence.

But it seems as though this split call for my attention might prove to be a blessing in disguise. First, my musings necessitate that I stay busy. Thinking is a wonderful pass time but should always inspire action, thus I itch to be busy. It's nice because I find an endless supply of motivation for my endless projects whether that is studying French, working full time, exercising daily, doing temple work for my grandma's endless stack of names, being involved in my college ward, road-tripping to Provo and Rexburg, or spending time with my family. Second, my musings create a rich well of inspiration. With so much to contemplate my writing and music composition has picked up again.

This leads me to think about the simple joys of being home. In one word, possibility. The possibilities are all stretched out before me. I have an entire summer of girl nights with Mom and Brittney, and McKenzie when she visits, and an entire summer of action packed/superhero nights with Dad, Jason, and Tanner. In short, the best of both worlds. I'm hoping to start saving up for my study abroad and of course, I'm going to get in sick shape so I'm ready to jump back into folk dancing! I'll get to hear all about Jerusalem from Spencer and hopefully get to have a few crazy and unexpected adventures of my own. And most importantly I'm writing it all down. Busy, I think yes!

 So here are my goals for the summer:

• Take a Self Defense Class in attempt to finally beat Spencer at wrestling
• Get ready for Folk Dance Clinic
• Go to the Temple every week to help Grandma with her stack of names
• Finish writing my story (about freshman year)
• Work full time and save for Study Abroad in England
• Get involved in my College Ward
• Road-Trip!
• Scrapbook my Freshman Year
• Study French (I hope it'll finally click.) :)
• Be spontaneous and have adventures (especially if they're out of my comfort zone)!

Well, in short, bring it on! Because this summer is just the beginning.

-Natalie Cherie